Method and system for detecting an operational mode of a building control component

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to methods, systems, and devices for detecting an operational mode of a building component of an environmental control system. In some instances, the apparatus may include a sensor for outputting a signal related to a measure of power drawn by the building component. The sensor may be a current sensor associated with a power cord of an air conditioning unit. The signal output by the sensor may be received by a signal conditioning circuit for conditioning the signal received from the sensor such as, for example, by amplifying and/or filtering. A comparator may be configured to compare the conditioned signal to a specified threshold associated with an ON condition and/or an OFF condition of the building component. The apparatus may include a wireless interface configured to wirelessly transmit a determination of whether the building component is ON or OFF based on the result determined by the comparator.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/012,699,filed Feb. 1, 2016, entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING ANOPERATIONAL MODE OF A BUILDING CONTROL COMPONENT”, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/766,119,filed Aug. 5, 2015, entitled “BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEM WITH DISTRIBUTEDCONTROL”, which is a National Stage of International Application No.PCT/US13/25168, filed Feb. 7, 2013, entitled “BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEMWITH DISTRIBUTED CONTROL”, all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to building management systems,and more particularly, to methods, systems, and devices for managingenergy consuming units such as discrete air conditioner units in abuilding such as a multi-room or multi-zone building.

BACKGROUND

In many developing economic regions such as China, India, and Brazil,smaller commercial and residential buildings often employ discrete airconditioner units, sometimes referred as split air conditioner units, tocontrol the environmental conditions within the building. Largerbuildings may have multiple discrete air conditioner units located indifferent spaces or zones within the building. These discrete airconditioner units are often mounted in a wall, window, or ceiling of thebuilding. The discrete air conditioner units are typically manuallycontrolled by the user, sometimes with the aid of an RF remote controldevice. However, having individual users manually control the variousdiscrete air conditioner units in a building can be energy inefficient,particularly when the users do not turn the air conditioner units to amore energy efficient setting when the building or zone is unoccupied.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to building management systems,and more particularly, to methods, systems, and devices for managingenergy consuming units such as discrete air conditioner units in abuilding such as a multi-room or multi-zone building. In such systems,it can be desirable to send out one or more control commands in order tochange an operational mode of a building component such as an airconditioner unit, and to confirm that the building component receivedthe one or more control commands and is operating in accordance with thedesired operating mode.

In one illustrative embodiment, an operational mode sensor may beconfigured for detecting an operational mode of a building component ofan environmental control system. In some cases, the operational modesensor may be used to sense an operational mode of a discrete airconditioner unit or other building component. In some cases, theoperational mode sensor may include a sensor for outputting a signalthat is related to a measure of power drawn by the building component.The sensed signal may be provided to a signal conditioning circuitcoupled to the sensor. The signal conditioning circuit may be configuredto condition the signal received from the sensor. A comparator may becoupled to the signal conditioning circuit and may be configured forcomparing the conditioned signal to a specified threshold associatedwith, for example, an ON condition of the building component. Theoperational mode sensor may include a wireless interface configured towirelessly transmit a determination of whether the building component iscurrently ON or OFF based on the result determined by the comparator.

Another illustrative embodiment may include a building control systemfor controlling one or more building components located within abuilding. The system may include one or more discrete air conditionerunits, or other building components, coupled to a power source, one ormore controllers and a sensor configured to determine an operationalmode of the one or more of the discrete air conditioner units and/orbuilding components. The discrete air conditioner units may becontrolled by one or more discrete air conditioner controllers that areconfigured to communicate with and control the discrete air conditionerunits via a first wireless communications path. The air conditionercontroller may be configured to send out one or more commands to the oneor more discrete air conditioner units via the first wirelesscommunication path.

The building control system may include an operational mode sensorassociated with a discrete air conditioner unit. The operational modesensor may be configured to detect an operational mode of the discreteair conditioner unit. The operational mode sensor may include, forexample, a sensor for outputting a signal related to a measure of powerdrawn by the building component. The sensed signal may be provided to asignal conditioning circuit coupled to the sensor. The signalconditioning circuit may be configured for conditioning the signalreceived from the sensor. A comparator may be coupled to the signalconditioning circuit and may be configured for comparing the conditionedsignal to a specified threshold associated with an ON condition (orother condition) of the building component. The operational mode sensormay include a wireless interface that is configured to wirelesslytransmit a determination of whether the building component is ON or OFFbased on the result determined by the comparator.

An illustrative method for confirming that one or more commands thatwere wirelessly sent to a building component of a building were actuallyreceived and implemented by the building component may includewirelessly sending one or more commands to the building component, wherethe one or more commands are configured to change an operational mode ofthe building component to a predetermined operational mode. Once the oneor more commands are sent, a measure of power consumed by the buildingcomponent is sensed and compared to a specified threshold. Based on thecomparison, it is determined if the building component is in thepredetermined operational mode. Once this determination is made, one ormore messages that indicate if the building component is in thepredetermined operational mode is wireless transmitted, which thenconfirms that the one or more commands were received and implemented bythe building component.

The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the innovative features unique to the present disclosure and is notintended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the disclosurecan be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, andabstract as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing description of various embodiments in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative building management systemfor controlling one or more building components servicing the buildingor structure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative building management systemthat may be used to coordinate and control the one or more buildingcomponents shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative centralcoordinator;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an illustrative building management systemthat may facilitate remote access and/or control;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another illustrative centralcoordinator;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic views of two discrete air conditionercontrollers;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative discrete airconditioner controller;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an illustrative building management systemthat may be used to provide operational status information about the oneor more building components of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative operational modesensor;

FIGS. 10A and 10B show block diagram representations of differentembodiments of the illustrative operational mode sensor of FIGS. 8 and9; and

FIG. 11 shows an illustrative method for confirming that one or morecommands that sent to a building component of a building were receivedand implemented.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of thedisclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawingswherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout theseveral views. The description and drawings show several embodimentswhich are meant to be illustrative in nature. Additionally, while theembodiments described herein generally relate to controlling one or morediscrete air conditioner units servicing a building, these are just someexamples. It will be understood by those of skill in the art thatsystems, methods, and devices, as described herein, may be adapted andexpanded to communicate with and control other building components thatmay be used to service a building. Centralizing and coordinating controlof multiple building components servicing a building may reduceoperating costs and increase overall energy efficiency of a building.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a building or structure 6 including anillustrative building management system 2 for controlling one or morebuilding components servicing the building or structure 6. The buildingmanagement system 2, as described herein according to the variousillustrative embodiments, may be used to control environmentalconditions and/or lighting in buildings such as, for example, retailstores, commercial offices, hospitals, clinics, restaurants, singlefamily dwellings, hotels, multi-tenant buildings, and/or multi-usefacilities. These are just some examples. It will be generallyunderstood that the building management system 2 may be expanded andadapted to control and manage other systems and building components, andmay be deployed on a larger scale as the need arises. In addition, thebuilding management system 2, as described herein, may provide awireless retrofit solution for facilities employing older buildingcomponents that may be wired and that are currently incapable ofreceiving a wireless or digital command signal. For example, thebuilding management system 2 may be configured to coordinate operationalcontrol of multiple building components servicing the building orstructure 6 that otherwise operate independently of one another. Thismay increase operational efficiency, reduce operational costs andmaximize energy efficiency of the building or structure 2 in which thebuilding management system is deployed.

The illustrative building management system 2 shown in FIG. 1 includesone or more discrete air conditioner controllers 10, a centralcoordinator 14, and one or more sensors 18. The building managementsystem 2 may be used to communicate with and control one or morediscrete air conditioner units 20, and/or one or more lightingcontrollers 24 for controlling a lighting bank 26 having at least onelight unit 28 servicing the building or structure 6. In a simplifiedembodiment, the building management system 2 may be used to control asingle discrete air conditioner unit 20 and/or a single lightingcontroller 24 controlling at least one light unit 28. In otherembodiments, the building management system 2 may be used to communicatewith and control multiple discrete air conditioner units 20 and/ormultiple lighting controllers 24. The discrete air conditioner units 20may be located in different zones or rooms of the building and may bemounted, for example, on a wall, ceiling, or window of the building orstructure 6. Both the discrete air conditioner units 20 and the lightingcontrollers 24 may be powered by line voltage, and may be powered by thesame or different electrical circuit. While FIG. 1 shows four discreteair conditioner units 20, and two lighting controllers 24 forcontrolling two lighting banks 26 each having at least one light unit28, it is contemplated that the building management system 2 may be usedto control other suitable building components that may be used toservice the building or structure 6.

The central coordinator 14 may be configured to control the comfortlevel in one or more rooms and/or zones of the building or structure 6by activating and/or deactivating one or more discrete air conditionerunits 20 in a controlled manner. Alternatively, or in addition, thecentral coordinator 14 may be configured to control the lighting in oneor more rooms and/or zones of the building or structure by activatingand/or deactivating the lighting controllers 24 to operate the lightingbanks 26 in a controlled manner. In some cases, the central coordinator14 may be configured to transmit a command over a wired or wirelessnetwork to a discrete air conditioner controller 10 for operating adiscrete air conditioner unit 20. Each discrete air conditionercontroller 10 may be located near or in close proximity to the discreteair conditioner unit 20 that it controls. In some cases, as will bedescribed herein in greater detail, a discrete air conditionercontroller 10 may be configured to control two or more discrete airconditioner units 20. The discrete air conditioner controller 10 isconfigured to transmit a command signal to its corresponding discreteair conditioner unit 20 for activating or deactivating the discrete airconditioner unit 20 in a desired manner. In some cases, the airconditioner controller 10 may be configured to receive a command fromthe central coordinator 14 in a first signal format, and to transmit acorresponding command signal to the discrete air conditioner unit 20 ina second signal format that the discrete air conditioner unit 20 isconfigured to receive. In many cases, the first signal formattransmitted by the central coordinator 14 is different from the secondsignal format received by the discrete air conditioner unit 20.

In some instances, the central coordinator 14 may be configured toreceive a signal from one or more sensors 18 located throughout thebuilding or structure 6. In some cases, one or more sensors 18 may beintegrated with and form a part of one or more of the discrete airconditioner controllers 10 located throughout the building or structure6. In other cases, one or more sensors 18 may be provided as separatecomponents of the building management system 2. In still otherinstances, some sensors 18 may be separate components of the buildingmanagement system 2 while others may be integrated with a discrete airconditioner controller 10. These are just some example configurations.The central coordinator 14 may be configured to use signal(s) receivedfrom the one or more sensors 18 to operate or coordinate operation ofthe one or more discrete air conditioner units 20 and/or the lightingbanks 26 located within the building or structure.

The one or more sensors 18 may be any one of a temperature sensor, ahumidity sensor, an occupancy sensor, a light sensor, a current sensor,and/or any other suitable sensor. In one example, at least one of thesensors 18 may be an occupancy sensor. The central coordinator 14 and/ordiscrete air conditioner controller 10 may receive a signal from theoccupancy sensor 18 indicative of occupancy within a room or zone of thebuilding or structure 6. In response, the central coordinator 14 and/ordiscrete air conditioner controller 10 may send a command to one or morediscrete air conditioner units 20 and/or lighting controllers 24 locatedin the room or zone where occupancy is sensed for activating at leastone discrete air conditioner unit 20 and/or lighting controller 24.

Likewise, in some cases, at least one of the sensors 18 may be atemperature sensor configured to send a signal indicative of the currenttemperature in a room or zone of the building or structure 6. Thecentral coordinator 14 and/or discrete air conditioner controller 10 mayreceive the signal indicative of the current temperature from thetemperature sensor 18. In response, the central coordinator 14 and/ordiscrete air conditioner controller 10 may send a command to one or morediscrete air conditioner units 20 to activate and/or deactivate thediscrete air conditioner unit(s) 20 in that room or zone to regulate thetemperature in accordance with a predetermined temperature set point.

In yet another example, the sensor 18 may be a current sensor 18. Thecurrent sensor 18 may be coupled to the discrete air conditioner unit 20and/or an electrical circuit providing electrical power to the discreteair conditioner unit 20. The current sensor 18 may be configured to senda signal to the central coordinator 14 and/or discrete air conditionercontroller 10 that is indicative of an increase or decrease in currentassociated with the operation of the discrete air conditioner unit 20.This signal may be used to provide confirmation that a commandtransmitted by the central coordinator 14 and/or discrete airconditioner controller 10 has been successfully received and acted uponby the discrete air conditioner unit 20.

In some cases, the central coordinator 14 and/or discrete airconditioner controller 10 may operate the one or more discrete airconditioner units 20 located throughout the building or structure 6 inaccordance with a programmable operating schedule. In some cases, theprogrammable operating schedule may include two or more time periods foreach of two or more days, with each time period having a correspondingtemperature set point and/or a corresponding lighting state. These arejust some examples.

FIG. 2 provides a simplified, schematic view of an illustrative buildingmanagement system 2 that may be used to coordinate and control thediscrete air conditioner units 20 and/or lighting banks 26 shown inFIG. 1. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the building management system 2includes the central coordinator 14, at least one discrete airconditioner controller 10, and, in some cases, at least one lightingcontroller 24. The central coordinator 14 may be configured tocommunicate with the at least one discrete air conditioner controller 10and the at least one lighting controller 24 over a wireless network 40.The central coordinator 14 may be configured to wirelessly communicateover the wireless network 40 using one or more wireless communicationprotocols such as cellular communication, ZigBee, REDLINK™ Bluetooth,Wi-Fi, IrDA, infra-red, dedicated short range communication (DSRC),EnOcean, and/or any other suitable common or proprietary wirelessprotocol, as desired. In some cases, the wireless network 40 may be anad-hoc wireless network. In other cases, the wireless network 40 may bea wireless mesh network and more particularly, a ZigBee wireless meshnetwork. As shown in FIG. 2, the building management system 2 mayinclude one or more sensors 18 that may be configured to wirelesstransmit a signal to the central coordinator 14 via the network 40 tofacilitate operation and control of the discrete air conditioner units20 and/or lighting banks 26 servicing the building or structure 6. Inaddition, the wireless network 40 may include one or more routers (notshown in FIG. 2) to extend and expand communication at the networklevel.

In some instances, as shown in FIG. 2, a user interface 45 may beprovided that is separate from the central coordinator 14 and thatfacilitates a user's interactions with the central coordinator 14located within the building or structure. The user interface 45 may beprovided by a number of remote devices including a smart phone, a tabletcomputer, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer. In some cases, theuser interface 45 may communicate with the central coordinator 14 via arouter 47 such as, for example, a Wi-Fi or Internet router. In othercases, the user interface 45 may be provided at the central coordinator14 and share a common housing with the central coordinator 14.

In some instances, the discrete air conditioner controller(s) 10 mayinclude a first wireless interface 42 for receiving a first wirelesssignal from the central coordinator 14 sent via the wireless network 40in a first wireless signal format. The discrete air conditionercontroller(s) 10 may also include a second wireless interface 44 fortransmitting a control signal to the discrete air conditioner unit 20.In some cases, the first wireless interface 42 is a radio frequency (RF)wireless interface, and the second wireless interface is an infra-red(IR) wireless interface. If the network 40 is a mesh network, thediscrete air conditioner controller(s) 10 may serve as the end node(s).

In some cases, the discrete air conditioner controller(s) 10 may beconfigured to transition from a sleep or passive mode in which lesspower is consumed to an active mode in which more power is consumed. Thediscrete air conditioner controller 10 may be configured to transmitand/or receive signals over the wireless network 40 while in the activemode, and not transmit or receive signals over the wireless network 40while in the sleep or passive mode. In some cases, the discrete airconditioner controller may be configured to transition between the sleepmode and the active mode in accordance with a schedule. The transitionschedule may be transmitted from the central coordinator 14 to thediscrete air conditioner controller(s) 10 via the mesh network 40.Alternatively, or in addition, the discrete air conditionercontroller(s) 10 may be configured to transition from a sleep or passivemode to the active mode in accordance with a beacon signal received fromthe central coordinator 14.

FIG. 3 provides a schematic block diagram of an illustrative centralcoordinator 14 that may be utilized in the building management system 2of FIG. 2. In some cases, the central coordinator 14 may be a dedicatedtablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a smart phone, aserver, or other remote device used to coordinate and control thevarious building components servicing the building or structure 6. Asshown in FIG. 3, the central coordinator 14 may include an input/outputport 46 for transmitting and receiving signals over the wireless network40. In some instances, the input/output port 46 can be a wirelesscommunications port for wirelessly sending and/or receiving signals overthe wireless network 40. In one example, the input/output port 46 mayinclude a low frequency radio frequency (RF) transceiver fortransmitting and/or receiving RF signals on a ZigBee wireless meshnetwork. In other cases, as will be described in greater detail herein,the central coordinator 14 may also include a wired or wireless routeror gateway for connecting to a communications network, but this is notrequired. The router or gateway may be integral to the centralcoordinator 14 or may be provided as a separate device. Additionally,the central coordinator 14 may include a processor (e.g.

microprocessor, microcontroller, etc.) 48 and a memory 52. The centralcoordinator 14 may also have a user interface 56 including a display(not shown), but this is not required. In some cases, the centralcoordinator 14 may communicate with one or more remote temperaturesensors, humidity sensors, lighting sensors, and/or occupancy sensors,which may be located throughout the building or structure 6, via the I/Oport 46. Additionally, the central coordinator 14 may communicate with atemperature sensor and/or humidity sensor located outside of thebuilding or structure for sensing an outdoor temperature and/orhumidity, if desired.

The processor 48 may operate in accordance with an algorithm forcontrolling the one or more discrete air conditioner units 20 and/orlighting banks 26 located within the building or structure 6 as shown inFIG. 1. It will be generally understood by those skilled in the art thatthe discrete air conditioner units 20 may be controlled independently ofthe lighting banks 26. The processor 48, for example, may cause thecentral coordinator 14 to send out command signals to one or morediscrete air conditioner units 20 in accordance with a control algorithmthat provides temperature set point changes, humidity set point changes,schedule changes, start and end time changes, operating mode changes,and/or the like. Additionally, the processor 48 may cause the centralcoordinator 14 to send out command signals to one or more lighting banksin accordance with a predetermined occupancy schedule, operating modechanges, and/or in response to an indication of occupancy received froman occupancy sensor located within the building or structure 6. At leasta portion of the control algorithm may be stored locally in the memory52 of the central coordinator 14.

In some cases, the processor 48 may cause the central coordinator 14 tooperate according to a first operating mode having a first temperatureset point, a second operating mode having a second temperature setpoint, a third operating mode having a third temperature set point,and/or the like. In some cases, the first operating mode may correspondto a scheduled mode, and the second operating mode may correspond to acomfort mode. The scheduled mode may be modified by a user to suit theuser's particular expected scheduling, and in some cases, may allow auser to change one or more temperature set points and/or one or moreschedule times to suit the user's needs. A comfort mode, when provided,may allow a user to determine an operating schedule, but may put somerestrictions on the temperature setpoints and/or schedule times to helpbalance a comfortable temperature set point with energy efficiency andcost savings. A third operating mode, when provided, may correspond toan economy mode, where the operating schedule and correspondingtemperature set points may be set by the manufacturer and/or buildingowner, and may provide a higher level of energy efficiency and costsavings. These are just some example operating modes. It will beunderstood that the processor 48 may be programmed to cause the centralcoordinator 14 to operate according to additional modes as necessary ordesired. The number of operating modes and the operating parametersettings associated with each of the operating modes may be establishedby the user locally through the user interface 56. In some cases, theprocessor 48 may be pre-programmed for the user's convenience with oneor more default operating modes: scheduled, comfort and economy. In somecases, the user may be able to select the default operating mode throughthe user interface 56 of the central coordinator 14 for a selecteddiscrete air conditioner unit 20 or group of units and/or lightingbank(s) 26.

In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the user interface 56,when provided, may be any suitable user interface that permits thecentral coordinator 14 to display and/or solicit information, as well asaccept one or more user interactions with the central coordinator 14.Through the user interface 56 of the central coordinator 14, the usermay view and manage operation of building components (e.g. discrete airconditioner units 20, lighting banks 26, etc.) that service the buildingor structure 6. In some cases, the user may be able to group one or morediscrete air conditioner units 20 and/or lighting banks 26 to form anoperating group and establish operating zones within the building orstructure 6. Alternatively, or in addition, the user may be able to setup an operating schedule and select an operating mode for an individualdiscrete air conditioner unit 20 and/or a group of discrete airconditioner units 20. Different operating schedules and/or operatingmodes may be selected for different discrete air conditioner units 20and/or groups of discrete air conditioner units 20. The ability to viewand manage multiple building components servicing the building orstructure 6, including one or more discrete air conditioner units 20and/or lighting banks 26, may facilitate improved management of thefacility wide energy load which may lead to both energy and costsavings.

In one example, the user interface 56 may be a physical user interfacethat is accessible at the central coordinator 14 and may include adisplay and/or a distinct keypad. The display may be any suitabledisplay. In some instances, a display may include or may be a liquidcrystal display (LCD), and in some cases a fixed segment display or adot matrix LCD display. In other cases, the user interface 56 may be atouch screen LCD panel that functions as both display and keypad. Thetouch screen LCD panel may be adapted to solicit values for a number ofoperating parameters and/or to receive such values, but this is notrequired. In still other cases, the user interface 56 may be a dynamicgraphical user interface.

The memory 52 of the illustrative central coordinator 14 may be incommunication with the processor 48. The memory 52 may be used to storeany desired information, such as the aforementioned control algorithm,set points, schedule times, zones and groupings of air conditionercontrollers 10 and/or lighting controllers 24, and the like. The memory52 may be any suitable type of storage device including, but not limitedto, RAM, ROM, EPROM, flash memory, a hard drive, and/or the like. Insome cases, the processor 48 may store information within the memory 52,and may subsequently retrieve the stored information from the memory 52.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another exemplary building managementsystem 60 that may facilitate remote access and/or control using aremote device 62, and that may be used to coordinate and control thediscrete air conditioner units 20 and/or lighting banks 26 shown inFIG. 1. In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 4, the buildingmanagement system 2 includes a central coordinator 64, at least onediscrete air conditioner controller 10, and, in some cases, at least onelighting controller 24. The central coordinator 64 may be configured tocommunicate with the at least one discrete air conditioner controller 10and the at least one lighting controller 24 over a first wirelessnetwork 66. The first wireless network 66 utilize one or more wirelesscommunication protocols including, but not limited to, cellularcommunication, ZigBee, REDLINK™, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IrDA, infra-red,dedicated short range communication (DSRC), EnOcean, and/or any othersuitable common or proprietary wireless protocol, as desired. In somecases, the first wireless network 66 may be an ad-hoc wireless network.In other cases, the first wireless network 66 may be a wireless meshnetwork and more particularly, a ZigBee wireless mesh network. If thefirst wireless network 66 is a mesh network, the discrete airconditioner controller(s) 10 may serve as the end node(s).

In some cases, the discrete air conditioner controller(s) 10 may beconfigured to transition from a sleep or passive mode in which lesspower is consumed to an active mode in which more power is consumed. Thediscrete air conditioner controller(s) 10 may be configured to transmitand/or receive signals over the first wireless network 66 while in theactive mode, and may not transmit or receive signals over the firstwireless network 66 while in the sleep or passive mode. In some cases,the discrete air conditioner controller(s) 10 may be configured totransition between the sleep mode and the active mode according to aschedule. In some cases, the transition schedule may be transmitted fromthe central coordinator 64 to the discrete air conditioner controller 10via the first wireless network 66. In other cases, the discrete airconditioner controller 10 may be configured to transition from the sleepor passive mode to the active mode in accordance with a beacon signalreceived from the central coordinator 64.

In some instances, the central coordinator 64 may be adapted tocommunicate over one or more additional wired or wireless networks thatmay accommodate remote access and/or control of the central coordinator64 via a remote device 62 such as, for example, a smart phone, tabletcomputer, laptop computer, personal computer, PDA, and/or the like. Insome cases, the remote device 62 may provide a primary and/or asecondary user interface for the user to interact with the centralcoordinator 64. As shown in FIG. 4, the central coordinator 64 mayinclude a first communications port 70 for communicating over the firstwireless network 66, and a second communications port 72 forcommunicating over a second network 76. In some cases, the firstwireless network 66 may be a wireless local area network (LAN) such as,for example, a wireless mesh network, as discussed above, and the secondnetwork 76 (when provided) may be a Wi-Fi network or a wide area networksuch as, for example, the Internet. These are just some examples. Othercombinations of wired and wireless networks may be utilized.Additionally, in some cases, the building management system 50 mayinclude a wired or wireless router or gateway 78 for connecting to thesecond network 76. The router or gateway 78 may be integral to thecentral coordinator 64 or may be provided as a separate device, as shownin FIG. 4. In some cases, the router or gateway 78 is a Wi-Fi orInternet router. Additionally, in some cases, the gateway 78 may includea web server for serving up one or more web pages that may be accessedand viewed over the second network 76 and, in some cases, the firstwireless network 66, using the remote device 62.

Depending upon the application and/or where the user is located, remoteaccess and/or control of the central coordinator 64 may be provided overthe first wireless network 66 and/or the second network 76. A variety ofwireless remote devices 62 may be used to access and/or control thecentral coordinator 64 from a remote location over the first wirelessnetwork 66 and/or second network 76 including, but not limited to,mobile phones including smart phones, PDAs, tablet computers, laptop orpersonal computers, and/or the like. In some cases, the wireless remotedevices 62 may be configured to communicate wirelessly over the firstwireless network 66 and/or second network 76 with the centralcoordinator 64 via one or more wireless communication protocolsincluding, but not limited to, cellular communication, ZigBee, REDLINK™,Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IrDA, infra-red, dedicated short range communication(DSRC), EnOcean, and/or any other suitable common or proprietarywireless protocol, as desired. Additionally, the wireless remote device62 may provide a user interface for interacting with the centralcoordinator 64.

The wireless remote device 62 may be programmed to include anapplication code that facilitates communication and control with centralcoordinator 64. The application program may be provided by anddownloaded from an external web service (e.g. Apple Inc.'s ITUNES®,Google Inc.'s Google Play, a proprietary server, etc.) for this purpose,but this is not required. In one example, the application code may causethe wireless remote device 62 to receive and store data from the centralcoordinator 64. The application programming code may translate the datareceived from the central coordinator 64 and display the data to theuser via the user interface of the wireless remote device 62.Additionally, the application code may be capable of accepting an inputfrom a user through the user interface of the wireless remote device 62and transmitting accepted data associated with the input to the centralcoordinator 64. For example, if the user inputs include changes to theexisting control algorithm including, for example, temperature set pointchanges, humidity set point changes, schedule changes, start and endtime changes, zoning changes or changes to a group of devices, theapplication program code may cause the wireless remote device 62 toupdate the control algorithm and/or parameters of the control algorithm,as applicable, and transmit at least a portion of the updated controlalgorithm and/or parameters of the control algorithm over the firstwireless network 66 or second network 76 to the central coordinator 64where it is received via one or the communications ports 70 or 72 andstored in the memory of the central coordinator 64 for execution by thecentral coordinator 64.

FIG. 5 provides a schematic block diagram of an illustrative centralcoordinator 64 that may be utilized in the building management system 50of FIG. 4, discussed above, and that may provide remote access and/orcontrol of the building management system 50 from a remote locationusing a remote device 62. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the centralcoordinator 64 may include a first communications port 70 forcommunicating over a first network (e.g. wireless mesh network) and asecond communications port 72 for communicating over a second network(e.g. Wi-Fi or Internet). The first communications port 70 can be awireless communications port including a wireless transceiver forwirelessly sending and/or receiving signals over a first wirelessnetwork 66. Similarly, the second communications port 72 may be awireless communications port including a wireless transceiver forsending and/or receiving signals over a second wireless network 76. Insome cases, the second communications port 72 may be in communicationwith a wired or wireless router or gateway 78 for connecting to thesecond network, but this is not required. In some cases, the router orgateway 78 may be integral to the central coordinator 64 or may beprovided as a separate device, as shown in FIG. 4.

Additionally, the illustrative central coordinator 64 may include aprocessor (e.g. microprocessor, microcontroller, etc.) 80 and a memory82. The central coordinator 64 may also include a user interface 86accessible at the device, but this is not required. For example, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the user interface 86 may be provided by aremote device (e.g. tablet computer or smart phone) that is separatefrom the central coordinator 64. In some cases, the central coordinator64 may communicate with one or more remote temperature sensors, humiditysensors, light sensors, current sensors, and/or occupancy sensorslocated throughout the building or structure 6 via the first wirelessnetwork 66. Additionally, in some cases, the central coordinator 64 maycommunicate with a temperature sensor and/or humidity sensor locatedoutside of the building or structure 6 for sensing an outdoortemperature and/or humidity if desired.

The processor 80 of the central coordinator 64 may operate in accordancewith an algorithm for controlling the one or more discrete airconditioner units 20 and/or lighting banks 26 located within thebuilding or structure 6 as shown in FIG. 1. It will be generallyunderstood by those skilled in the art that the discrete air conditionerunits 20 may be controlled independently of the lighting banks 26. Theprocessor 80 may, for example, cause the central coordinator 64 to sendout command signals to one or more discrete air conditioner units 20 inaccordance with a control algorithm that provides temperature set pointchanges, humidity set point changes, schedule changes, zoning and/orgrouping changes, start and end time changes, operating mode changes,and/or the like. Additionally, the processor 80 may cause the centralcoordinator 64 send out command signals to one or more lighting banks inaccordance with a predetermined occupancy schedule, operating modechanges, and/or in response to an indication of occupancy received froman occupancy sensor 18 located within the building or structure 6 (seeFIG. 1). At least a portion of the control algorithm may be storedlocally in the memory 82 of the central coordinator 64.

In some cases, the processor 80 may cause the central coordinator 64 tooperate according to a first operating mode having a first temperatureset point, a second operating mode having a second temperature setpoint, a third operating mode having a third temperature set point,and/or the like. In some cases, the first operating mode may correspondto a scheduled mode, and the second operating mode may correspond to acomfort mode. The scheduled mode may be modified by a user to suit theuser's particular expected scheduling, and in some cases, may allow auser to change one or more temperature set points and/or one or moreschedule times to suit the user's needs. A comfort mode, when provided,may allow a user to determine an operating schedule, but may put somerestrictions on the temperature setpoints and/or schedule times to helpbalance a comfortable temperature set point with energy efficiency andcost savings. A third operating mode, when provided, may correspond toan economy mode, where the operating schedule and correspondingtemperature set points may be set by the manufacturer and/or buildingowner, and may provide a higher level of energy efficiency and costsavings. These are just some example operating modes. It will beunderstood that the processor 48 may be programmed to cause the centralcoordinator 64 to operate according to additional modes as necessary ordesired. The number of operating modes and the operating parametersettings associated with each of the operating modes may be establishedby the user locally through the user interface 86. In some cases, theprocessor 80 may be pre-programmed for the user's convenience with oneor more default operating modes: scheduled, comfort and economy. In somecases, the user may be able to select the default operating mode throughthe user interface 86 of the central coordinator 64 for a selecteddiscrete air conditioner unit 20 or group of units and/or lightingbank(s) 26.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5, the user interface 86, whenprovided, may be any suitable user interface that permits the centralcoordinator 64 to display and/or solicit information, as well as acceptone or more user interactions with the central coordinator 64. Forexample, the user interface 86 may permit a user to enter data such astemperature set points, humidity set points, starting times, endingtimes, schedule times, responses to alerts, and the like. Additionally,the user interface 86 may permit a user to establish zones within thebuilding or structure 6 and to group one or more discrete airconditioner controllers and/or one or more lighting controllers togetherfor building management purposes.

In one example, the user interface 86 may be a physical user interfacethat is accessible at the central coordinator 64, and may include adisplay and/or a distinct keypad. The display may be any suitabledisplay. In some instances, a display may include or may be a liquidcrystal display (LCD), and in some cases a fixed segment display or adot matrix LCD display. In other cases, the user interface 86 may be atouch screen LCD panel that functions as both display and keypad. Thetouch screen LCD panel may be adapted to solicit values for a number ofoperating parameters and/or to receive such values, but this is notrequired. In still other cases, the user interface 86 may be a dynamicgraphical user interface.

In some cases, the user interface 86 need not be physically accessibleto a user at the central coordinator 64. Instead, the user interface 86may be a virtual user interface 86 that is accessible via the firstwireless network 66 and/or second network 76 using a wireless remotedevice 62 such as one of those remote devices 62 previously describedherein. In some cases, the virtual user interface 86 may include one ormore web pages that are provided over the first wireless network 66(e.g. LAN) by an internal web server implemented by the processor 80.When so provided, the virtual user interface 86 may be accessed over thefirst wireless network 66 using a wireless remote device 62 such as anyone of those listed above. Through the one or more web pages, theprocessor 80 may be configured to display information relevant to thecurrent operating status of one or more discrete air conditionercontrollers 10 and/or one or more lighting controllers 24 or group ofdiscrete air conditioner controllers 10 and/or one or more lightingcontroller 24 including the current operating status (e.g. on/off),temperature set point, actual temperature within the building, outsidetemperature, outside humidity and/or the like. Additionally, theprocessor 80 may be configured to receive and accept any user inputsentered via the virtual user interface 86 including temperature setpoints, humidity set points, starting times, ending times, scheduletimes, zoning and/or grouping changes, responses to alerts, and/or thelike.

The memory 82 of the illustrative central coordinator 64 may be incommunication with the processor 80. The memory 82 may be used to storeany desired information, such as the aforementioned control algorithm,set points, schedule times, building zones, groups of buildingcomponents, and/or the like. The memory 82 may be any suitable type ofstorage device including, but not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, flashmemory, a hard drive, and/or the like. In some cases, the processor 80may store information within the memory 82, and may subsequentlyretrieve the stored information from the memory 82.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 4, the central coordinator 14 and thecentral coordinator 64 may be both configured to communicate with atleast one discrete air conditioner controller 10 for operating one ormore discrete air conditioner units 20. FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematicviews of two discrete air conditioner controllers 10A and 10B that maybe utilized in either of the building management systems 2 and 50,described above. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the discrete airconditioner controllers 10A and 10B each include a housing 90 and amounting bracket 94 or other mounting feature to aid in mounting thediscrete air conditioner controller 10A, 10B to a wall or ceiling of thebuilding or structure 6. If battery powered, the housing 90 may includea battery holder for holding a battery or batter pack (not explicitlyshown). The housing 90 may have any shape or size suitable for housingthe internal electronics of the discrete air conditioner controller 10A,10B. In addition, the housing 90 may include an opening or window 98 toaid in transmitting one or more control signals to one or more discreteair conditioner units 20. The opening or window 98 may extend at leastpartially around an outer perimeter or circumference of the housing 90.In some cases, the window or opening 98 may extend from about 25 degreesto about 360 degrees and more particularly from about 180 degrees toabout 360 degrees about an outer circumference of the housing 90. Thehousing 90 may include a larger opening or window 98 when the discreteair conditioner controller 10A, 10B is utilized to control multiplediscrete air conditioner units 20, but this is not required.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative discrete airconditioner controller 100 that may be utilized in a building managementsystem such as described in reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, discussed above.The illustrative discrete air conditioner controller 100 may correspondto the discrete air conditioner controller 10A, 10B shown in FIGS. 6Aand 6B.

As shown in FIG. 7, the illustrative discrete air conditioner controller100 includes a microprocessor or microcontroller or 104 coupled to afirst wireless interface 108 for remotely sending and receiving signalsto and from a central coordinator (e.g. central coordinator 14 or 64,discussed herein), a second wireless interface 112 for sending commandsignals to one or more discrete air conditioner units 20, a memory 116,and a power source 120. In some embodiments, the first wirelessinterface 108 may use a different communication protocol than the secondwireless interface 112. The first wireless interface 108 may be, forexample any one of a mesh network wireless interface, an ad hoc wirelessnetwork interface, or a Wi-Fi wireless network interface. Because manyof the embodiments described herein provide a retrofit solution forcoordinating existing discrete air conditioner units 20 that utilizeinfra-red technology, the second wireless interface 112 may be aninfra-red (IR) wireless interface, but this is not required. Astechnology improves, other wireless interfaces employing differentwireless communication protocols may be utilized.

It is contemplated that other wireless interfaces may be employed forthe first wireless interface 108 and/or the second wireless interface112. In one embodiment, the first wireless interface 108 may be aradiofrequency (RF) wireless interface and the second wireless interface112 may be an infra-red (IR) wireless interface. The first wirelessinterface 108 may be capable of communicating with a central coordinatorover a first wireless network 40 or 66 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Asdiscussed above, the first wireless network 40 or 66 may be a wirelessmesh network and more particularly, a ZigBee wireless mesh network. Theair conditioner controller 100 may serve as an end node in a meshnetwork.

The illustrative discrete air conditioner controller 100 may be batterypowered, solar powered, powered by a line voltage, or some combinationthereof. For example, in one embodiment, the discrete air conditionercontroller 100 may be powered by a line voltage with a battery back-up.In other cases, the discrete air conditioner controller 100 may bebattery powered, with no line voltage power source. These are just someexamples.

The microcontroller 104 may receive one or more operating parameters foroperating one or more discrete air conditioner units 20 (FIG. 1) fromthe central coordinator 14, 64 via the first wireless interface 108.Additionally, the microcontroller 104 may receive one or more updatesand/or changes to the operating parameters from the central coordinator14 or 64 via the first wireless interface 108. The one or more operatingparameters or operating parameter updates may be stored in the memory116 for retrieval by the microcontroller 104. Exemplary operatingparameters may include, for example, temperature set points, humidityset points, start and end time changes, operating mode changes orselections (e.g. scheduled mode, comfort mode, and economy mode), zoningchanges, grouping changes, and/or the like.

In some cases, when the discrete air conditioner controller 100 forms apart of a mesh network, the microcontroller 104 may be configured totransition the discrete air conditioner controller 100 between a sleepmode in which less power is consumed and no or minimal (e.g. merelylistening for a beacon signal) network communication occurs, and anactive mode in which more power is consumed and the discrete airconditioner controller 100 is configured for active networkcommunication. In some cases, the microcontroller 104 may be configuredto transition the discrete air conditioner controller 100 between thesleep mode and the active mode according to a predetermined schedule.The predetermined schedule may be communicated from the centralcoordinator 14, 64 to the discrete air conditioner controller 100 viathe first wireless network 40, 66. The discrete air conditionercontroller 100 may be configured to transmit data to the centralcoordinator 14, 64 in the active mode and then return to the sleep modeafter the data has been transmitted to the central coordinator 14, 64.

In some cases, the duration of the active mode may be dynamicallyupdated according to one or more density of nodes on the first wirelessnetwork 40, 66 and/or the expected traffic on the first wireless network40, 66. The updated active mode duration may be communicated from thecentral coordinator 14, 64 to the discrete air conditioner controller100 as needed. In other cases, the microcontroller 104 may be configuredto transition the discrete air conditioner controller 100 from the sleepmode and the active mode in accordance with a beacon signal receivedfrom the central coordinator 14, 64. In one instance, themicrocontroller 104 may be configured to transition the discrete airconditioner controller 100 from the sleep mode to the active mode inaccordance with a predetermined delay after receiving the beacon signalfrom the central coordinator 14, 64. In some cases, the discrete airconditioner controller 100 may remain in the active mode for a durationthat is dynamically set by the beacon signal received from the centralcoordinator 14, 64.

In some cases, the memory 116 may store at least a portion of aprogrammable operating schedule for operating one or more discrete airconditioner units 20 and/or one or more lighting controllers 24 locatedwithin the building or structure 6. The programmable operating schedulemay include one or more time periods per day or group of days, with eachtime period having a corresponding temperature set point and/or humidityset point. At least a portion of the programmable operating schedule maybe delivered from the central coordinator 14, 64 to the discrete airconditioner controller 100 over the first wireless network 40, 66 whereit is stored in the memory 116 of the discrete air conditionercontroller 100. The programmable operating schedule may be deliveredperiodically to the discrete air conditioner controller 100 and/ordelivered to the discrete air conditioner controller 100 in response toa change initiated by a user. In some cases, the microcontroller 104 maybe configured to send out one or more commands to a discrete airconditioner unit 20 via the second wireless interface 112 in accordancewith the programmable operating schedule stored in the memory 116.Additionally, the microcontroller 104 may be configured to receive oneor more scheduled updates to the programmable operating schedule storedin the memory 116 via the first wireless interface 108 and update theprogrammable operating schedule accordingly. In some cases, the discreteair conditioner controller 100 may be configured to default to the lastoperating schedule stored in the memory 116 in the event of a powerfailure or a lost network connection.

In some embodiments, the discrete air conditioner controller 100 mayinclude a temperature sensor 124 and/or occupancy sensor 128 coupled tothe microcontroller 104. The temperature sensor 124 and/or occupancysensor 128 may be configured to send a signal indicative of the sensedparameter (e.g. temperature or occupancy) to the central coordinatorover the first wireless network 40, 66 (FIGS. 2 and 4) via the firstwireless interface 108, if desired. In some cases, the microcontroller104 may be configured to send out one or more commands to a discrete airconditioner unit 20 via the second wireless interface 112 in an attemptto control the temperature in response to the temperature sensed by thetemperature sensor 124 in accordance with a temperature set point storedin the memory 116. In addition, the microcontroller 104 may beconfigured to send out one or more commands to a discrete airconditioner unit 20 via the second wireless interface 112 in an attemptto control the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 124 after aset point update has been received from the central coordinator 14, 64via the first wireless interface 108.

When the discrete air conditioner controller 100 includes an occupancysensor 128 in addition to or in lieu of a temperature sensor 124, themicrocontroller 104 may be configured to control the temperature inresponse to an indication of occupancy sensed by the occupancy sensor.In some cases, the occupancy sensor 128 may detect motion or movement inthe room and/or zone of the building or structure 6 in which thediscrete air conditioner controller 100 is installed. Themicrocontroller 104 may be configured to control the temperature in theroom and/or zone in accordance with first temperature set point storedin the memory 116 when the occupancy sensor 128 indicates occupancy. Themicrocontroller may be configured to control the temperature in the roomand/or zone in accordance with a second temperature set point when theoccupancy sensor 128 does not detect and/or indicate occupancy. In somecases, the indication of occupancy may cause the microcontroller 104 tosend out a command to a discrete air conditioner unit 20 in accordancewith a first temperature set point stored in the memory 116 regardlessof any programmed operating schedule that it may be currently following.The microcontroller 104 may be configured to return to following theprogrammed operating schedule stored in the memory when the occupancysensor 128 no longer indicates occupancy. This is just an example.

In some cases, the discrete air conditioner controller 100 may beconfigured to transition between a sleep mode and an active mode. Insome cases, when the discrete air conditioner controller 100 is in thesleep mode, at least one of the temperature sensor 124 and/or occupancysensor 128 may be inactive. In other cases, when the discrete airconditioner controller 100 is in the sleep mode, at least one of thetemperature sensor 124 and/or occupancy sensor 128 may be active. Whenthe discrete air conditioner controller 100 is in the active mode, atleast one of the temperature sensor 124 and/or the occupancy sensor 128may be active and may be configured to communicate a measure related toa parameter (e.g. temperature or occupancy) sensed by the at least onesensor (e.g., the temperature sensor 124 and/or the occupancy sensor128) to the central coordinator 14, 64 via the first wireless interface108. In some cases, the sensing of a parameter (temperature, occupancy,lights, etc.) by at least one of the sensors 124 and/or 128 may causethe discrete air conditioner controller 100 to transition from the sleepmode to the active mode. In one example, the discrete air conditionercontroller 100 may be configured to switch from the sleep mode to theactive mode when a measure related to a parameter sensed by at least oneof the temperature sensor 124 and/or the occupancy sensor 128 meets oneor more predetermined criteria. These are just some examples. It will begenerally recognized by those of skill in the art that the discrete airconditioner controller 100 may also include other types of sensorsincluding, for example, a humidity sensor, a lighting sensor, a noisesensor, and/or any other suitable sensor, as desired.

In some cases, each discrete air conditioner unit 20 in the building orstructure 6 may be associated with and capable of receiving commandcodes from a corresponding handheld remote control unit (not shown) thatis often provided by the manufacturer of the discrete air conditionerunit 20. The command codes transmitted by a handheld remote control unitmay be unique to the discrete air conditioner unit 20 that the handheldremote control unit is associated. In some cases, the illustrativediscrete air conditioner controller 100 may be configured to accept oneor more command codes or a set of command codes from a handheld remotecontrol unit associated with an individual discrete air conditioner unit20 via the second wireless interface 112, and to use at least onecommand code accepted from the handheld remote control unit whentransmitting one or more control commands to the discrete airconditioner unit 20. The discrete air conditioner controller 100 may befurther configured to store one or more command codes in the memory 116where they may be retrieved by the microcontroller 104. In some cases,the discrete air conditioner controller 100 may be configured to accepta command code from a handheld remote control unit associated with adiscrete air conditioner unit 20 as a raw waveform. The raw waveform maybe an infra-red raw waveform, and the raw waveform may not be decodedbefore being stored in the memory 116 of the discrete air conditionercontroller 100. In some cases, the raw waveform may be a digital rawwaveform that has been digitized via an A/D converter or the like.

In some embodiments, the discrete air conditioner controller 100 may beconfigured to transmit one or more command codes accepted from thehandheld remote control unit to the central coordinator 14, 64 via thefirst wireless interface 108 where they may be stored in the memory 52,82 of the central coordinator 14, 64. In some cases, the one or morecommand codes may be transmitted to the central coordinator 14, 64 asone or more raw waveforms. In some cases, the command codes or set ofcommand codes may be stored in the memory 52, 82 for subsequent use byother discrete air conditioner controllers 10. The central coordinator14, 64 may store the raw waveforms in the memory 52, 82, and may not bedecoded first. The central coordinator 14, 64 may be configured toretrieve and reproduce at least one of the command codes stored in thememory 52, 82, and transmit the reproduced command codes to the discreteair conditioner controller 100, which may then use the command codes toeffect a desired change in operation of a discrete air conditioner unit20.

In some cases, the central coordinator 14, 64 may receive multiplecommand codes for controlling multiple different kinds of discrete airconditioner units 20. The central coordinator 14, 64 may be configuredto store the command codes in a command code database stored in thememory 52, 82, which may include a plurality of command codes thatcorrespond to a plurality of different kinds of discrete air conditionerunits. In some cases, the database may already include command codescorresponding to the most common commercially available kinds or modelsof discrete air conditioner units 20. These command codes may bepre-loaded into the memory 52, 82 by the manufacturer, or downloadedfrom the internet. The central coordinator 14, 64 may be configured toidentify and retrieve a set of command codes for an individual discreteair conditioner unit 20 and transmit the correct set of command codesfor the particularly type of discrete air conditioner unit 20 to thecorresponding discrete air conditioner controller 100 for use by thediscrete air conditioner controller 100.

In some cases, the discrete air conditioner controller 100 may receivethe one or more commands from the central coordinator 14, 64 foroperating one or more discrete air conditioner units 20 via the firstwireless interface 108. Based on the received command, the discrete airconditioner controller 100 may select an appropriate command code fromthe set of command codes stored in the memory 116 and transmit theselected command code to the discrete air conditioner unit 20 via thesecond wireless interface 112 to control the discrete air conditionerunit 20 in a desired manner.

In some cases, the central coordinator 14, 64 may receive a signal fromthe discrete air conditioner unit 20 or other device confirmingsuccessful receipt of the command code by the discrete air conditionerunit 20. In one instance, the discrete air conditioner unit 20 may beconfigured to transmit an infra-red or digital signal to the centralcoordinator 14, 64 confirming successful receipt of the command code. Inother instances, the signal may be an auditory or visual signal. Forexample, in one case, the discrete air conditioner unit 20 may emit anaudible tone, beep, or noise that may be capable being received by thecentral coordinator 14, 64. The visual signal may be a flashing light orseries of flashing lights that may be detected at the centralcoordinator 14, 64. In another instance, either the discrete airconditioner controller 100 or central coordinator 14, 64 may include acamera that is trained on the discrete air conditioner unit 20, and thatis configured to recognize a change in any parameter settings (e.g.temperature set point, humidity set point, operating mode, etc.) that isdisplayed on a display of the discrete air conditioner unit 20. Theparameter settings may form part of a two dimensional display of thediscrete air conditioner unit 10. These are just some examples.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an illustrative building management system2 that may be used to provide operational status information about theone or more building components of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. In some cases, thebuilding management system 2 may provide a wireless retrofit solutionfor obtaining status information from building components that may beinstalled within a building or structure 6, and that may be incapable oftransmitting a message in response to a received wireless or digitalcommand signal. An operational mode sensor 218 may be used to determinethe operational mode of one or more building components, and communicatethe determined operational mode to a controller, such as the discreteair conditioner controller 10 and/or the central coordinator 14discussed above.

The building management system 2 may be configured to control one ormore building components located within the building or structure 6. Thebuilding management system 2 may include one or more discrete airconditioners 20 coupled to a power source 160, a discrete airconditioner controller 10 that may be configured to communicate with andcontrol the one or more discrete air conditioner units 20, a centralcoordinator 14 that may be configured to accept inputs for the one ormore building components from a user via a user interface, and anoperational mode sensor 218 associated with one or more discrete airconditioners 20. The operational mode sensor 218 may be capable ofdetermining a present operating mode of the one or more associateddiscrete air conditioner units 20, and communicating the determinedoperating mode to central coordinator 14 and/or the discrete airconditioner controller 10. The central coordinator 14, the discrete airconditioner controller 10 and/or the discrete air conditioner unit 20may be capable of communicating over the wireless network 40 via one ormore wireless links 150 using one or more of the wireless communicationprotocols discussed above (e.g., cellular communication, ZigBee,REDLINK™, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IrDA, infra-red, dedicated short rangecommunication (DSRC), EnOcean, and/or any other suitable common orproprietary wireless protocol).

The central coordinator 14 may be configured to control the comfortlevels within one or more rooms and/or zones within the building orstructure 6. For example, in some cases, the central coordinator 14 mayinclude a user interface 56, a memory 52, and a controller and/orprocessor 48, wherein the processor 48 may be configured to receiveand/or accept an operating schedule from a user via the user interface56 and store at least a portion of the operating schedule in the memory52. In some cases, the central coordinator 14 may send at least aportion of the operating schedule to the discrete air conditionercontroller 10 via a wireless link 150.

The discrete air conditioner controller 10 may be communicativelycoupled to the one or more discrete air conditioner units 20 and thecentral coordinator 14 via the one or more wireless links 150 via thewireless network 40. In some cases, as discussed above, the discrete airconditioner controller 10 may include the memory 116, a controller(e.g., the microcontroller 104), one or more sensors 124, 128 and acommunication circuit (e.g., an RF transceiver of the first wirelessinterface 108 and an IR transmitter of the second wireless interface112) located within a housing. In some cases, the memory 116 may be usedto store at least a portion of the operating schedule received from thecentral coordinator 14. The microcontroller 104 may be configured tocommunicate via the wireless link 150 to send out one or more commandsto the one or more discrete air conditioner units 20 in accordance withthe operating schedule stored in the memory 116. The discrete airconditioner controller 10 may command the discrete air conditioner unit20 to enter a specified operational mode, such as a cooling mode, afan-only mode, or a standby mode, and/or control to a particulartemperature.

In some cases, the discrete air conditioner unit 20 may not be capableof communicating its operational status (e.g., an ON condition, an OFFcondition, etc.) to the discrete air conditioner controller 10 via thewireless link 150. For example, while the discrete air conditioner unit20 may be capable of wirelessly receiving an operational command (e.g.via RF command codes) from the discrete air conditioner controller 10,the discrete air conditioner unit 20 may not be capable of wirelesslycommunicating its current status back to the discrete air conditionercontroller 10. In some cases, the discrete air conditioner unit 20 maybe configured to provide information about its current operationalstatus on its user interface (e.g., a liquid crystal display, a sevensegment display, a graphical user interface, etc.). In such cases, thebuilding management system 2 may include one or more sensors 18, such asthe operational mode sensor 218, to provide information about theoperational status of the one or more discrete air conditioner units 20to the discrete air conditioner controller 10 and/or the centralcoordinator 14. One or more operational mode sensors 218 may also beused to provide information about the operational status of one or moreother building components. For example, the operational mode sensor 218may be capable of sensing the operational status of one or more otherbuilding components for lighting, heating, cooling and/or forcontrolling indoor air quality. These may include the status of alighting component, a heat pump, a ventilation device (e.g., a fan, ablower, etc.), a pump, a damper controller, a valve controller, anelectric heating device, a furnace, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, an airexchange device, a compressor, an air cleaner, and the like.

In some instances, the operational mode sensor 218 may include a camerathat is trained on the discrete air conditioner unit 20, and that isconfigured to recognize a change in any parameter settings (e.g.temperature set point, humidity set point, operating mode, etc.) that isdisplayed on a display of the discrete air conditioner unit 20. Theparameter settings may form part of a two dimensional display of thediscrete air conditioner unit 10. In another instance, the operationalmode sensor 218 may include a light detector that is trained in on anLED indicator on the discrete air conditioner unit 20. In yet anotherinstance, the operational mode sensor 218 may include a temperaturesensor, a flow sensor and/or another suitable sensor that can be used todetect or surmise the current operating state of the discrete airconditioner unit 20.

In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may be configured tosense a measure of power (e.g., a current) consumed by the correspondingbuilding component. Typically, alternating current (AC) electrical powermay be provided to the building and/or structure 6 via a single phaseelectrical distribution network, a three-phase electrical distributionnetwork and/or locally via an electrical generator. The electrical powermay be distributed throughout the building or structure 6 and may bemade accessible to a user via one or more power sources 160 (e.g., adistribution panel, a power outlet, a junction box, etc.). AC power maybe provided at a voltage within a range from about 10V to about 480V, ateither 50 Hertz or 60 Hertz. In some cases, the electrical power sourcemay be associated with an electrical device (e.g., a transformer,voltage converter, etc.) for converting the electrical line voltage toanother voltage level and/or frequency to provide electrical power toone or more building components. For example, energy provided at thepower source may be converted to provide direct current (DC) power at aparticular voltage. The power source 160 may receive electrical powerfrom the external electrical distribution network and may be used toprovide power to one or more components of the building managementsystem 2.

In one example, the discrete air conditioner unit 20 may be connected toa power source 160 (e.g., an electrical distribution panel, anelectrical outlet, etc.) via a power connection 170 (e.g., a power cordand/or a multi-conductor cable). The power connection 170 may includeone or more individual conductors and/or a cable having two or moreindividual conductors within a common package. In some cases, a device(e.g., the operational mode sensor 218) may be placed used to sense oneor more one or one or more parameters (e.g., a current, a power usage,etc.) that is associated with the current operational state of thediscrete air conditioner unit 20. The operational mode sensor 218 maythen provide the current operational status of the discrete airconditioner unit 20 to the discrete air conditioner controller 10.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative operational modesensor 218 of FIG. 8. In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 mayinclude one or more current sensors 202, a signal conditioning circuit204, a comparator 206, a communication circuit 208 and a power source212. In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may include one ormore of a processor 220, a memory 222, a timer 224, a sensor 226 otherthan a current sensor, and an adjustment circuit 230. The operationalmode sensor 218 may be configured to determine a current operationalmode of an associated building component (e.g., discrete air conditionerunit 20) using a sensed measure of power drawn by the buildingcomponent. For example, the current sensor 202 may output a signalrelated to a measure of power drawn by discrete air conditioner unit 20.The signal conditioning circuit 204 may condition the signal receivedfrom the current sensor 202 and provide a conditioned (e.g., scaled,filtered, etc.) signal to the comparator 206 for analysis. Thecomparator 206 may compare the conditioned signal to a specifiedthreshold associated with an operational mode (e.g., an ON condition, anOFF condition, LOW, Medium, High, etc.) of discrete air conditioner unit20. Based on the result determined by the comparator 206, theoperational mode sensor 218 may communicate a determination of thecurrent operational mode of the building component to the airconditioner controller 10 and/or the central coordinator 14.

The operational mode sensor 218 may include one or more current sensors202 configured to output a signal related to a measure of power (e.g., acurrent flowing through a conductor) drawn by the building component(e.g., the discrete air conditioner unit 20). The current sensor 202 maybe capable of directly and/or indirectly sensing a current in aconductor. For example, the current sensor 202 may include a resistiveshunt that can directly measure current flowing through a conductor. Insuch cases, a voltage drop across the resistive shunt may beproportional to the current flowing through the conductor.Alternatively, currents may be measured indirectly, providing electricalisolation between the conductor and the sensing circuit. For example,the current sensor 202 may include a Hall Effect sensor and/or a currenttransformer. In such cases, a current carrying conductor, such as aconductor of the power connection 170, may pass through an opening of amagnetically permeable core, such as a center opening of a toroidalcore. The core of the current sensor may be a solid core, or may besplit to facilitate installation around the conductor. For example, asplit core may be coupled around at least one conductor of a power cordof the building component. In some cases, multiple current sensorsand/or multiple cores may be used for sensing current in each of two ormore current carrying conductors of a multi-phase power connection 170to the power source 160. The one or more current sensors 202 may producean output signal corresponding to the current flowing through aconductor of the multi-phase power connection 170. In some cases, theoutput signal may be a current having a specified range (e.g., betweenabout 4 milliamps to about 20 milliamps), or a voltage waveform centeredon a specified offset voltage. In some cases, the output signal may havea waveform that tracks the waveform of the current through theconductors of the power connection 170. For example, when the currentsensor 202 senses a generally sinusoidal current waveform in theconductor of the power connection 170, the current sensor may output anoutput signal having a generally sinusoidal waveform.

The signal conditioning circuit 204 may be configured to condition (e.g.amplify and/or filter) the output signal received from the currentsensor 202. For example, the signal conditioning circuit 204 may includeone or more one or more electrical components for signal conditioningand/or processing of the output signal received from the current sensor202. For example, the signal conditioning circuit 204 may include one ormore discrete electrical components (e.g., resistors, capacitors,inductors, diodes, transistors, etc.) and/or one or more integratedcircuits, such as operational amplifiers, comparators, a rectifier(e.g., a full wave rectifier, a half wave rectifier), a microprocessor,a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”),and/or an application specific standard product (“ASSP”). In some cases,the signal conditioning circuit may include a regulated voltage inputfor receiving a scaled voltage that may be used with one or more of theelectrical components for biasing other electrical components and/orscaling an output signal. The signal conditioning circuit 204 maycondition the output signal of the current sensor 202 to correct foroffset, sensitivity, non-linearity, temperature effects, and/or othervariations. In some cases, the current sensor 202 may provide an ACoutput signal corresponding to the AC current drawn by discrete airconditioner unit 20. In such cases, the signal conditioning circuit 204may include a rectifier (e.g., a full-wave rectifier) for producing avalue (e.g., a DC value) corresponding to a magnitude of the currentdrawn by discrete air conditioner unit 20.

The signal conditioning circuit 204 may include one or more filtersconfigured to filter electrical noise and/or other extraneous signalsthat may be coupled into the output signal provided by the currentsensor 202. For example, the signal conditioning circuit 204 may includea low-pass filter implemented as a combination of integrated or discreteelements, such as a resistor and a capacitor configured as a series RCnetwork. Although a first order low-pass filter may be used, it iscontemplated that any combination of analog or digital filters can beused, including one or more high pass filters, low pass filters, bandpass filters, notch filters, passive filters (e.g., having “T” sections,“π” sections, etc.), active filters (e.g., Chebyshev filter, Butterworthfilter, etc.), IIR filters, FIR filters, and/or any other suitablefilter or filter combination.

The comparator 206 may be communicatively coupled to the current sensor202, the signal conditioning circuit 204 and/or the communicationcircuit 208. The comparator may include one or more discrete electricalcomponents (e.g., a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, a diode, atransistor, etc.) and/or one or more integrated circuits (e.g., anoperation amplifier, a comparator, an ASIC, a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, an ASSP, etc.). In some cases, the comparator 206 mayreceive the conditioned signal from the signal conditioning circuit 204and compare at least a portion of the conditioned signal to one or morespecified thresholds or threshold levels. For example, the comparatormay compare the conditioned signal to a specified threshold associatedwith an ON condition of the building component (e.g., discrete airconditioner unit 20). That is, when the conditioned signal is greaterthan the threshold, an ON condition of discrete air conditioner unit 20may be indicated. Conversely, when the conditioned signal is less thanthe threshold, an OFF condition of discrete air conditioner unit 20 maybe indicated.

In some cases, the comparator 206 may compare the conditioned signal totwo or more specified thresholds. For example, a first threshold maycorrespond to a first operational mode of discrete air conditioner unit20, and a second threshold may correspond to a second operational modeof discrete air conditioner unit 20. In some cases, the firstoperational mode and the second operational mode may correspond tooperational modes when discrete air conditioner unit 20 is ON. Forexample, the first threshold may correspond to an operational modeindicating that a fan is ON, and the second threshold may correspond toan operational mode indicating that both a compressor and the fan areON. A third threshold may be used to determine when discrete airconditioner unit 20 is in a standby mode, such as when the airconditioner is ON and neither the fan nor the compressor is ON. Forexample, the comparator may determine that the air conditioner has beenpowered OFF, or is otherwise not receiving power when the conditionedsignal is less than the third threshold. In some cases, the one or morethresholds may be configurable

In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may include an adjustmentcircuit 230 that may include one or more electrical components 232 and auser interface 234. The adjustment circuit 230 may be coupled to thecomparator 206 to allow a user to adjust one or more of the thresholdsused by the comparator 206. For example, each of the thresholds may be aspecified voltage level associated with a particular current drawn bydiscrete air conditioner unit 20. The adjustment circuit 230 may allow auser to configure the operational mode sensor 218 to a particularcurrent sensor and/or a particular model of discrete air conditionerunit 20. In some cases, the arrangement of the one or more electricalcomponents (e.g., one or more voltage dividers) may allow a user toselect between predetermined voltage levels for each of the thresholds.In some cases, the one or more electrical components may include one ormore variable resistors (e.g., potentiometers, rheostats, etc.) that mayallow a user to continuously adjust a voltage level until a desiredthreshold value is reached.

The user interface 234 may include one or more switches and/ortransducers. For example, the user interface 234 may include one or moreswitches, such as dual inline package (DIP) switches, capable ofallowing a user to switch between particular discrete voltage levels toselect one or more desired thresholds. In some cases, the user interface234 may include access to one or more transducers associated with one ormore variable resistors to allow the user to adjust one or morethresholds. In some cases, the adjustment circuit 230 may allow forremote configuration. For example, the adjustment circuit may include anintegrated circuit (e.g., an ASIC, a field programmable gate array(FPGA), a microcontroller, etc.) that may be capable of receiving aconfiguration command from a remote device (e.g., the air conditionercontroller 10, the central coordinator 14, a personal computer, etc.).For example, the remote device may communicate the configuration commandto the operational mode sensor 218 via the wireless network 40. Thecommand may be received via the communication circuit 208 andinterpreted by the electrical components 232 of the adjustment circuit230, wherein the adjustment circuit adjusts the one or more thresholdsused by the comparator 206 in response to the received command.

The communication circuit 208 may include one or more communicationports 210 to facilitate communication over one or more wireless networks40 via the wireless link 150. The communication port 210 may include anantenna to allow the operational mode sensor 218 to communicatewirelessly over a wireless LAN, a wireless mesh network and/or anotherwireless network discussed above. In some cases, the communication portmay support one or more wired connections for facilitating communicationover one or more wired communication networks. Such networks may operateusing one or more communication protocols, such as cellularcommunication, ZigBee, REDLINK™, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IrDA, infra-red,dedicated short range communication (DSRC), EnOcean, and/or any othersuitable common or proprietary wireless and/or wired protocol, asdesired. The communication circuit 208 may be used by the operationalstatus sensor to transmit a determination of whether the buildingcomponent is ON or OFF based on the result determined by the comparator,via the wireless network 40 and/or a wired network.

In some cases, the communication circuit 208 may be configured toreceive one or more messages from another device, such as the discreteair conditioner controller 10 and/or the central coordinator 14. Forexample, the discrete air conditioner controller 10 may transmit acommand to the operational mode sensor 218 requesting the operationalmode of the monitored discrete air conditioner unit 20. In response, theoperational mode sensor 218 may determine the operational mode ofdiscrete air conditioner unit 20, such as by using the comparator 206.The determined operational mode of the discrete air conditioner unit 20may then be communicated to the discrete air conditioner controller 10and/or the central coordinator 14. The communication circuit 208 mayinclude one or more transceivers for wirelessly sending and/or receivingsignals over a first wireless network 40. The communication circuit 208may comprise a custom integrated circuit and/or chipset configured tocommunicate using a particular protocol, such as a Zigbee transceiver, aBluetooth transceiver, a WiFi transceiver, and the like. In some cases,the communication circuit may be configured to minimize powerconsumption of the operational mode sensor 218. For example, the Zigbeetransceiver chip may sleep when not transmitting, which may allow theoperational mode sensor 218 to maximize the available energy of thepower source 212.

In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may be configured tooperate on a mesh network. In some cases, the operational mode sensor218 may be configured to transition from a sleep or passive mode inwhich less power is consumed to an active mode in which more power isconsumed. Additionally, the operational mode sensor 218 may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive signals over the wireless network40 in the active mode. The operational mode sensor 218 may not transmitor receive signals over the wireless network 40 in the sleep or passivemode. In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may be configuredto transition between a sleep mode and an active mode in response to arequest for an operational mode of the associated discrete airconditioner unit 20. The transition schedule may be dictated by thecentral coordinator 14 and/or the discrete air conditioner controller 10via the network 40. In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 maybe configured to transition from a sleep or passive mode in accordancewith a beacon signal received from the central coordinator 14. In somecases, the operational mode sensor 218 may be configured to transitionbetween a sleep mode and an active mode according to a schedule. Forexample, the operational mode sensor may include a timer 224. The timer224 may include one or more discrete electrical components and/orintegrated circuits and may be configured to time a specified duration.In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may transmit thedetermined operational mode of the building component (e.g., discreteair conditioner unit 20) via the communication circuit 208 after aspecified duration that is timed by the timer 224. In some cases, theduration timed by the timer 224 is configurable by a user.

In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may include a powersource 212 that may include one or more charge storage devices and/orcomponents capable of storing energy, such as a capacitor, a battery, oranother electrical and/or mechanical component capable of storing avoltage. For example, the operational mode sensor 218 may include a portcapable of receiving a battery. In some cases, the battery may berechargeable from an external power source and/or by using internalcircuitry within the operational mode sensor 218. For example, theoperational mode sensor may be configured to steal power from one ormore conductors supplying power to the monitored discrete airconditioner unit 20. The stolen power may be used to power theoperational mode sensor 218 and/or recharge the charge storage device.

In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may include logic tocommunicate an indication of the remaining energy in the power storagedevice to a user. For example, the operational mode sensor 218 mayinclude a visual indicator (e.g., an LED), where a status of the visualindicator (e.g., a color, an illumination level, etc.) may be associatedwith an acceptable power level. The visual indicator may change color(e.g., from green to red) and/or change states (e.g., turn on, turn off,etc.) to indicate that the power level has dropped below a thresholdassociated with an acceptable power level.

In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may include a controllerand/or processor 220 and a memory 222, but this is not required. Theprocessor 220 may be configured to access instruction stored in thememory 222 to perform one or more functions of the signal conditioningcircuit 204, the comparator 206, the communication circuit 208, thetimer 224, and/or the adjustment circuit 230. For example, the processor220 may include an analog-to-digital converter and may convert an analogoutput signal received from the current sensor 202 to a digital circuitfor signal conditioning and/or other processing. As such, the processormay perform one or more functions of the signal conditioning circuit 204by processing instructions to provide a value corresponding to amagnitude of the current signal and/or to filter or otherwise conditionthe output signal received from the current sensor 202.

The memory 222 may be used to store any desired information, such as theaforementioned instructions, set points, schedule times, diagnosticlimits such as, for example, differential pressure limits, delta Tlimits, and the like. The memory 222 may be any suitable type of storagedevice including, but not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, flash memory, ahard drive, and/or the like. In some cases, the processor 220 may storeinformation within the memory 222, and may subsequently retrieve thestored information from the memory 222.

In some cases, the processor may be configured to process instructionsfor comparing the conditioned signal to one or more thresholds. In somecases, the thresholds may be pre-selected and stored in the memory 222.In other cases, the thresholds may be entered and/or modified by a user,either locally through a user interface at the operational mode sensor218 and/or via the wireless network 40. The memory 222 may be capable ofstoring information about one or more air conditioner models, thresholdscorresponding to current levels associated with one or more operationalmodes of the one or more air conditioner models, and the like. Thecontroller and/or processor 220 may be configured to determine thespecified threshold using the information about the one or moredifferent air conditioner models. In some cases, the processor 220 andthe memory 222 may be used to monitor and/or store information about thecurrent drawn by and/or the operational modes of discrete airconditioner unit 20 for a specified duration. For example, the processor220 may perform instructions to determine a duty cycle of the airconditioner unit by monitoring the conditioned current signal over aspecified duration. For example, the processor 220 may use one or morethresholds associated with an ON condition, wherein the duty cycle maybe calculated by comparing a duration spent ON to a duration spent OFF.In some cases, the controller and/or processor 220 may determine anoperational mode of discrete air conditioner unit 20 using the dutycycle.

In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 may include one or moreother sensors 226, such as a humidity sensor, the temperature sensor 124and/or the occupancy sensor 128 discussed above. The sensors 226 may beconfigured to provide a temperature and/or occupancy signal to theprocessor 220 for use in determining an operational mode. In some cases,the one or more sensors 226 may be communicatively coupled to thecommunication circuit to provide a sensed signal (e.g., a temperature,an occupancy state, a humidity, etc.) to a controller, such as the airconditioner controller 10 and/or the central coordinator 14.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are block diagrams of different examples operationalmode sensor configurations. FIG. 10A shows an operational mode sensor218 having a clamp style and/or split ring current sensor 202 externalto a housing 252. In some cases, the current sensor 202 may be coupledto the housing 252 of the operational mode sensor via a cable 254. Inother cases, the housing 2506 of the current sensor 202 may beintegrated with the housing 252 forming a continuous housing. In somecases, the current sensor may include a mechanism allowing the currentsensor 202 to be clamped around a conductor 258 of the power connection170 (e.g., a power cable) to discrete air conditioner unit 20. In othercases, the current sensor 202 may include one or more removable sections260, wherein a user may remove one or more of the removable sections 260to allow the conductor 258 to pass through the opening 262 through thecurrent sensor 202.

FIG. 10B shows a block diagram representation of an operational modesensor 218 having one or more current sensors 202 integrated within acommon housing 370. In some cases, the operational mode sensor 218 maybe configured to be electrically coupled between the power source 160(e.g., a power outlet 162) and a plug 172 of the power cord 170 ofdiscrete air conditioner unit 20. For example, the operational modesensor 218 may be plugged into the power outlet 162 and the power cord170 of discrete air conditioner unit 20 may be plugged into theoperational mode sensor 218. In some cases, one or more conductors 372may be configured to pass electrical power from the power outlet 162 tothe plug 172. The current sensor 202 may be positioned around and/oradjacent to the conductors 372 to sense the current drawn by the airconditioner. In this case, the operational mode sensor 218 may drawpower from the power source 160.

FIG. 11 shows an illustrative method 300 for confirming that one or morecommands sent to a building component of a building or structure 6 werereceived and implemented. At 310, a controller, such as the discrete airconditioner controller 10 and/or the central coordinator 14, maywirelessly send one or more commands to a building component (e.g.,discrete air conditioner unit 20) of a building or structure 6. In somecases, the one or more commands may be configured to change anoperational mode of the air conditioner to a predetermined operationalmode. At 312, a sensor associated with the operational mode sensor 218may be configured to sense a measure of power consumed by the buildingcomponent. For example, the current sensor 202 may sense a current in aconductor of a power connection 170 supplying power to discrete airconditioner unit 20. At 314, the operational mode sensor 218 may comparethe measure of power consumed by the building component to a specifiedthreshold associated with the predetermined operational mode of thebuilding component. In some cases, the specified threshold may be basedon a type and/or model of the building component. At 316, based on thecomparison, the operational mode sensor 218 may determine the currentoperating mode of the building component. At 318, the operational modesensor 218 may wirelessly send one or more messages that indicate thecurrent operating mode of the building component. For example, theoperational mode sensor 218 may send a message indicating that theoperational mode of discrete air conditioner unit 20 is an ON mode or anOFF mode. In some cases, the ON mode may correspond to a fan ON modeand/or a compressor ON mode, and the OFF mode may correspond to a powerOFF mode and/or a standby mode. At 320, the controller (e.g., the airconditioner controller and/or the central coordinator 14) may confirmthat the one or more commands were received and implemented by thebuilding component, if the building component is in the predeterminedoperational mode.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 is a building control system for controlling one or morebuilding components that service a building including: a discrete airconditioner controller configured to communicate with and control one ormore discrete air conditioner units servicing the building, the discreteair conditioner controller including a memory and a controller locatedwithin a housing, the memory storing a programmable operating schedulefor operating the one or more discrete air conditioner units, whereinthe programmable operating schedule includes two or more time periods,and each time period includes a corresponding programmable temperatureset point, the controller configured to send out one or more commands tothe one or more discrete air conditioner units in accordance with theprogrammable operating schedule stored in the memory; and a centralcoordinator having a user interface, a memory, and a controller, whereinthe controller of the central coordinator is configured to accept one ormore parameters of the programmable operating schedule from a user viathe user interface of the central coordinator, and to send at least aportion of the programmable operating schedule, including one or moreparameters accepted from a user, to the discrete air conditionercontroller, wherein at least a portion of the programmable operatingschedule sent to the discrete air conditioner controller is stored inthe memory of the discrete air conditioner controller.

Example 2 includes the building control system according to example 1,wherein the discrete air conditioner controller includes a firstwireless interface and a second wireless interface, wherein the centralcontroller sends at least a portion of the programmable operatingschedule via the first wireless interface, and the discrete airconditioner controller sends out one or more commands to the one or morediscrete air conditioner units via the second wireless interface.

Example 3 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1 or 2, wherein the first wireless interface includes a radiofrequency (RF) wireless interface, and the second wireless interfaceincludes an Infrared (IR) wireless interface.

Example 4 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-3, wherein the discrete air conditioner controller includesan occupancy sensor, and the controller of the discrete air conditionercontroller sends an indication of occupancy to the central coordinatorvia the first wireless interface.

Example 5 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-4, wherein the controller of the central coordinator displaysin indication of occupancy on the user interface of the centralcoordinator.

Example 6 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-5, wherein the controller of the central coordinator sendsone or more signals to a lighting controller based on the indication ofoccupancy received from the discrete air conditioner controller.

Example 7 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-6, wherein the discrete air conditioner controller includes atemperature sensor, and the controller of the discrete air conditionercontroller sends an indication of temperature to the central coordinatorvia the first wireless interface.

Example 8 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-7, wherein the controller of the central coordinator displaysin indication of temperature on the user interface of the centralcoordinator. Example 9 includes the building control system according toany one of examples 1-8, wherein the user interface, the memory, and thecontroller of the central coordinator are all within a common housing.

Example 10 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-9, wherein the memory and the controller of the centralcoordinator are within a common housing, and the user interface isremote from the common housing.

Example 11 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-10, wherein user interface is part of a remote device that islocated remotely from the common housing.

Example 12 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-11, wherein the remote device is a portable computing device,a smart phone, a tablet computer, a lap top computer, or a desktopcomputer.

Example 13 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-12, wherein the first wireless interface is a WiFi interfaceand the second wireless interface is a mesh wireless interface.

Example 14 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-13, further comprising a discrete air conditioner unit forservicing the building configured to receive one or more commands fromthe discrete air conditioner controller.

Example 15 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-14, further comprising a current sensor unit operativelycoupled the discrete air conditioner unit to monitor current drawn bythe discrete air conditioner unit, wherein the current sensor unit isconfigured to send a signal indicative of the current drawn to thecentral coordinator.

Example 16 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-15, wherein the central coordinator uses the signalindicative of the current drawn to confirm that the one or more commandssent to the discrete air conditioner unit was actually received by thediscrete air conditioner unit.

Example 17 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-16, further comprising one or more lighting banks having atleast one light, wherein the one or more lighting banks are configuredto receive a command from the central coordinator for operating the atleast one light.

Example 18 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 1-17, wherein the controller of the discrete air conditionercontroller is configured to learn one or more codes for controlling oneor more discrete air conditioner units by receiving one or more infraredsignals via a wireless interface, and to store the one or more codes inthe memory of the discrete air conditioner controller.

Example 19 is a building control system for controlling one or morebuilding components that service a building including: a centralcoordinator including an input/output port for sending and/or receivingone or more signals over a wireless network, a user interface foraccepting one or more interactions from a user, and a controller coupledto the input/output port, the user interface and the memory; a discreteair conditioner controller configured to communicate with and controlone or more discrete air conditioner units that service the building,the discrete air conditioner controller including a wireless I/O blockfor receiving signals in a first signal format from the centralcoordinator and for transmitting signals to the one or more discrete airconditioner units in a second signal format, a memory, and a controllercoupled to the wireless I/O block and the memory, the controller of thediscrete air conditioner controller configured to wirelessly transmit asignal for controlling at least one discrete air conditioner unit inresponse to receiving a signal from the central coordinator; and thediscrete air conditioner controller including one or more of atemperature sensor and an occupancy sensor.

Example 20 includes the building control system according to example 19,wherein the wireless I/O block includes a wireless radio frequency (RF)interface and a wireless infrared (IR) interface.

Example 21 includes the system according to examples 19 or 20, whereinthe central coordinator is configured to send a signal to the discreteair conditioner controller for controlling the one or more discrete airconditioner units in response to a signal indicative of a sensedparameter received from the temperature sensor and/or the occupancysensor. Example 22 is a method of controlling a discrete air conditionerunit that is servicing a building including the steps of: receiving asignal indicative of a sensed parameter at a central coordinator;transmitting a command having a first signal format from the centralcoordinator to a discrete air conditioner controller located near adiscrete air conditioner unit mounted in a ceiling, a wall or a windowof the building; and in response to receiving the transmitted command,transmitting a command having a second signal format from the discreteair conditioner controller to the discrete air conditioner unit forcontrolling operation of the discrete air conditioner controller,wherein the first signal format is different from the second signalformat.

Example 23 includes the method of example 22 and further comprises thesteps of: transmitting an operating schedule for the discrete airconditioner unit in a first signal format from the central coordinatorto the discrete air conditioner controller; storing the operatingschedule in a memory of the discrete air conditioner controller; andsending a command signal in a second signal format from the discrete airconditioner controller to the discrete air conditioner unit inaccordance with the operating schedule that is stored in the memory.Example 24 includes the method according to examples 22 or example 23,further comprising receiving an updated operating schedule at thediscrete air conditioner controller, the discrete air conditionercontroller overwriting at least a portion of the operating schedulestored in the memory with the updated operating schedule.

Example 25 is a building control system for controlling one or morebuilding components that service a building including: a centralcoordinator having an input/output port for wirelessly sending andreceiving one or more signals to and from at least one buildingcomponent located within the building, a memory, and a controllercoupled to the input/output port and the memory;

a discrete air conditioner control unit configured to communicate withand control one or more remotely controllable discrete air conditionerunits servicing the building, each of the one or more remotelycontrollable discrete air conditioner units being wirelesslycontrollable via an associated handheld remote control; the discrete airconditioner control unit having a first wireless interface for sendingand receiving signals to and from the central coordinator; the discreteair conditioner controller having a second wireless interface fortransmitting control commands to the one or more discrete airconditioner units; the discrete air conditioner control unit furtherconfigured to accept at least one control command codes via the secondwireless interface from a handheld remote control unit associated withat least one of the remotely controllable discrete air conditionerunits, and to use the at least one control command codes whentransmitting one or more control commands to the one or more discreteair conditioner units; and the discrete air conditioner control unitfurther configured to transmit the at least one control command codes tothe central coordinator via the first wireless interface, wherein thecentral coordinator is configured to store the at least one controlcommand codes in the memory of the central coordinator.

Example 26 includes the system according to example 25, wherein thecentral coordinator is configured to retrieve and reproduce at least oneof the control command codes previously stored in the memory, and totransmit the reproduced control command codes to the discrete airconditioner controller for use in controlling a discrete air conditionerunit.

Example 27 includes the system according to examples 25 or 26, whereinthe first wireless interface is a mesh network interface, and the secondwireless interface is an infrared interface.

Example 28 includes the system according to any one of examples 25-27,the central coordinator includes a control command code database thatstores a plurality of control command codes that correspond to aplurality of different discrete air conditioner unit types.

Example 29 includes the system according to any one of examples 25-28,wherein the discrete air conditioner control unit accepts via the secondwireless interface at least one control command code as a raw waveform.

Example 30 includes the system according to any one of examples 25-29,wherein the raw waveform is not decoded before being stored in a memoryof the discrete air conditioner control unit.

Example 31 includes the system according to any one of examples 25-30,wherein the raw waveform is an infrared wave form.

Example 32 includes the system according to any one of examples 25-31,further comprising a current sensor unit coupled to a discrete airconditioner unit, the current sensor unit configured to transmit asignal indicative of a change in current draw of the discrete airconditioner unit.

Example 33 is an air conditioner control unit for controlling one ormore discrete air conditioner units located within a building including:a first wireless interface for sending and receiving signals to and froma central coordinator; a second wireless interface for transmittingcontrol commands to the one or more discrete air conditioner units, thefirst wireless interface using a different communication protocol thanthe second wireless interface; a memory; a controller coupled to thefirst wireless interface and the second wireless interface, thecontroller configured to accept a first set of infrared codes via thesecond wireless interface for use in controlling a discrete airconditioner unit from a handheld remote control that is associated withthe discrete air conditioner unit, and store the first set of infraredcodes into the memory; and the controller configured to receive one ormore commands from the central controller via the first wirelessinterface, and based on the one or more received commands, select anappropriate one or more of the first set of infrared codes from thememory, and transmit the selected one or more of the first set ofinfrared codes to the discrete air conditioner unit via the secondwireless interface to control the discrete air conditioner unit.

Example 34 includes the air conditioner control unit according toexample 33, wherein the first set of infrared codes are accepted by thesecond wireless interface and then stored as raw infrared waveforms inthe memory.

Example 35 includes the air conditioner control unit according toexamples 33 or 34, wherein the controller does not decode the first setof infrared codes before storing them in the

memory. Example 36 includes the air conditioner control unit accordingto any one of examples 33-35, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to transmit the first set of infrared codes to the centralcoordinator via the first wireless interface for subsequent use by otherair conditioner control units.

Example 37 is a method of controlling one or more discrete airconditioner units that service a building including the steps of:wirelessly receiving at least one IR code for controlling a discrete airconditioner unit from a handheld remote control that is associated withthe discrete air conditioner unit, the IR code received as a rawwaveform; storing the raw waveform of the at least one code in a memory;associating the raw waveform of the at least one code with a discreteair conditioner unit type, and storing the association; transmitting theraw waveform of the at least one code, and the association, to a centralcoordinator; and storing the raw waveform of the at least one code in amemory of the central coordinator.

Example 38 includes the method according to example 37 and furthercomprises: retrieving the raw waveform of the at least one code from thememory of the central coordinator; and transmitting the raw waveform ofthe at least one code to a discrete air conditioner controller forcontrolling a discrete air conditioner unit.

Example 39 includes the method according to examples 37 or 38 andfurther comprises transmitting the raw waveform of the at least one codeto the discrete air conditioner controller in response to a signalreceived from a user interface of the central coordinator indicating aparameter change.

Example 40 includes the method according to any one of examples 37-39,and further comprises: transmitting the raw waveform of the at least onecode to a discrete air conditioner unit to effect a change in operationof the discrete air conditioner unit; receiving a signal from a currentsensor associated with the discrete air conditioner unit; and confirmingsuccessful receipt of the raw waveform of the at least one code at thediscrete air conditioner unit by noting a corresponding change in thesignal received from the current sensor.

Example 41 includes the method according to any one of examples 37-40and, further comprises: transmitting the raw waveform of the at leastone code to a discrete air conditioner unit to effect a change inoperation of the discrete air conditioner unit; and receiving anauditory signal from the discrete air conditioner unit confirmingsuccessful receipt of the raw waveform of the at least one code at thediscrete air conditioner unit.

Example 42 includes the method according to any one of examples 37-41,and further comprises: transmitting the raw waveform of the at least onecode to a discrete air conditioner unit to effect a change in operationof the discrete air conditioner unit; and receiving a visual signal fromthe discrete air conditioner unit confirming successful receipt of theraw waveform of the at least one code at the discrete air conditionerunit.

Example 43 includes the method according to any one of examples 37-42,wherein the visual signal includes a two-dimensional image of a displayof the discrete air conditioner unit.

Example 44 includes the method according to any one of examples 37-43and, further comprises: transmitting the raw waveform of the at leastone code to a discrete air conditioner unit to effect a change inoperation of the discrete air conditioner unit; and receiving an IRsignal from the discrete air conditioner unit confirming successfulreceipt of the raw waveform of the at least one code at the discrete airconditioner unit.

Example 45 is a controller unit for controlling a discrete airconditioning unit mounted to a wall, ceiling or window of a buildingincluding: a housing including one or more features to aid in mountingthe controller unit to a surface of the building; a memory locatedwithin the housing for storing a programmable operating schedule for adiscrete air conditioning unit, wherein the programmable operatingschedule includes two or more time periods, and each time periodincludes a corresponding programmable temperature set point; a firstwireless interface for communicating with a remotely located centralcoordinator; a second wireless interface for communicating with thediscrete air conditioning unit, the first wireless interface using adifferent communication protocol than the second wireless interface; atemperature sensor; and a controller located within the housing andcoupled to the memory, the first wireless interface, the second wirelessinterface, and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to sendout a command to the discrete air conditioning unit via the secondwireless interface in accordance with the programmable operatingschedule stored in the memory, the controller also configured to receiveone or more schedule updates to the programmable operating schedule viathe first wireless interface.

Example 46 includes the controller unit according to example 45, furthercomprising an occupancy sensor.

Example 47 includes the controller unit according to examples 45 or 46,wherein the second wireless interface is an infrared wireless interface.

Example 48 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples45-47, wherein the first wireless interface is a mesh wireless networkinterface.

Example 49 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples45-48, wherein the first wireless interface is an ad hoc wirelessnetwork interface.

Example 50 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples45-49, wherein the first wireless interface is a wifi wireless networkinterface.

Example 51 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples45-50, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a signalindicative of a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor via thefirst wireless interface.

Example 52 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples45-51, wherein the controller unit is battery powered.

Example 53 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples45-52, wherein the controller is powered by a line voltage with batterybackup.

Example 54 is a controller unit for controlling a discrete airconditioning unit mounted in a wall, ceiling or window of a buildingincluding: a housing; a first wireless interface for communicating witha remotely located central coordinator; a second wireless interface forcommunicating with the discrete air conditioning unit, the firstwireless interface using a different communication protocol than thesecond wireless interface; a memory for storing one or more operatingparameters including a temperature set point; a temperature sensor forsensing a temperature in or around the housing; and a controller locatedwithin the housing and coupled to the first wireless interface, thesecond wireless interface, the memory and the temperature sensor, thecontroller configured to send out one or more commands to the discreteair conditioning unit via the second wireless interface in an attempt tocontrol the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor in accordancewith the temperature set point stored in the memory, the controllerfurther configured to receive one or more set point updates via thefirst wireless interface, and to store the one or more set point updatesin the memory.

Example 55 includes the controller unit according to example 54 whereinthe first wireless interface is a radio frequency (RF) wirelessinterface for sending and/or receiving RF signals, and the secondwireless interface is an infrared (IR) wireless interface for sendingand/or receiving IR signals.

Example 56 includes the controller unit according to examples 54 or 55,wherein after a set point update is received via the first wirelessinterface, the controller is configured to send out one or more commandsto the discrete air conditioning unit via the second wireless interfacein an attempt to control the temperature sensed by the temperaturesensor in accordance with the updated temperature set point.

Example 57 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples54-56, further comprising an occupancy sensor for providing anindication of occupancy.

Example 58 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples54-57, wherein the memory includes a first temperature set point forwhen occupancy is detected by the occupancy detector and a secondtemperature set point for when occupancy is not detected by theoccupancy detector; the controller is configured to send out one or morecommands to the discrete air conditioning unit via the second wirelessinterface in an attempt to control the temperature sensed by thetemperature sensor in accordance with the first temperature set pointstored in the memory when the occupancy detector indicates occupancy;and the controller is configured to send out one or more commands to thediscrete air conditioning unit via the second wireless interface in anattempt to control the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor inaccordance with the second temperature set point stored in the memorywhen the occupancy detector does not indicate occupancy.

Example 59 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples54-58, wherein the memory stores a programmable operating schedule forthe discrete air conditioning unit, wherein the programmable operatingschedule includes two or more time periods, and each time periodincludes a corresponding programmable temperature set point; and whereinthe controller is configured to send out a command to the discrete airconditioning unit via the second wireless interface in accordance withthe programmable operating schedule stored in the memory.

Example 60 includes the controller unit according to any one of examples54-59, wherein the controller is configured to receive one or moreschedule updates to the programmable operating schedule via the firstwireless interface.

Example 61 includes the controller according to any one of examples54-60, wherein the controller is battery powered.

Example 62 is a method of controlling a discrete air conditioner unitservicing a building or structure including the steps of: receiving anoperating schedule for the discrete air conditioner unit in a firstsignal format at a discrete air conditioner controller unit via a firstwireless interface of the discrete air conditioner controller unit, thediscrete air conditioner controller unit having a memory and controllercoupled to the memory, the memory and the controller located within ahousing that is mountable to a surface of the building or structure, thediscrete air conditioner controller unit configured to control thediscrete air conditioner unit from a remote location via a secondwireless interface in accordance with the operating schedule stored inthe memory; storing the received operating schedule in the memory of thediscrete air conditioner controller unit; and sending one or morecommands in a second signal format from the discrete air conditionercontroller unit to the discrete air conditioner unit via the secondwireless interface in accordance with the received operating schedulestored in the memory of the discrete air conditioner controller unit.

Example 63 includes the method according to example 62, and furthercomprises detecting occupancy within the building or structure, and ifoccupancy is detected, sending one or more commands in the second signalformat from the discrete air conditioner controller unit to the discreteair conditioner unit via the second wireless interface in accordancewith an occupied temperature set point, and if occupancy is notdetected, sending one or more commands in the second signal format fromthe discrete air conditioner controller unit to the discrete airconditioner unit via the second wireless interface in accordance with anunoccupied temperature set point.

Example 64 includes the method of examples 62 or 63, wherein theoperating schedule includes one or both of occupied temperature setpoints and unoccupied temperature set points.

Example 65 is a building control system for controlling one or morebuilding components that service a building including: a centralcoordinator comprising an wireless interface for wirelessly sending andreceiving one or more wireless signals, a user interface for acceptingone or more user interactions from a user, and a controller coupled tothe input/output port, the user interface and the memory, the centralcoordinator is powered by a line voltage; a discrete air conditionercontroller configured to communicate with and control one or morediscrete air conditioner units that service a building, the discrete airconditioner controller including a first wireless interface forwirelessly communicating with the central coordinator via a meshnetwork, and a second wireless interface for communicating with one ormore discrete air conditioner units, the second wireless interfaceincludes an infrared (IR) interface for transmitting IR control codes tothe one or more discrete air conditioner units, the discrete airconditioner controller is powered by a battery; the discrete airconditioner controller further includes one or more sensors, wherein theone or more sensors include one or more of a temperature sensor, anoccupancy sensor, a humidity sensor and a light sensor; and wherein thediscrete air conditioner controller is configured to transition betweena sleep mode in which less power is consumed and an active mode in whichmore power is consumed, wherein in the active mode the discrete airconditioner controller is configured to transmit over the mesh network,and wherein in the sleep mode the discrete air conditioner controller isconfigured to not transmit over the mesh network.

Example 66 includes the building control system according to example 65,wherein the discrete air conditioner controller is configured tocommunicate a measure related to a parameter sensed by the one or moresensors to the central coordinator via the first wireless interface whenthe discrete air conditioner controller is in the active mode. Example67 includes the building control system according to examples 65 or 66,wherein the discrete air conditioner controller is configured totransition between the sleep mode and the active mode according to aschedule.

Example 68 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 65-67, wherein the schedule is communicated from the centralcoordinator to the discrete air conditioner controller via the meshnetwork.

Example 69 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 65-68, wherein the discrete air conditioner controller isconfigured to transition between the sleep mode and the active mode inaccordance with a beacon signal received from the central coordinator.Example 70 is a discrete air conditioner controller for communicatingwith and controlling one or more discrete air conditioner units thatservice a building, the discrete air conditioner controller operating inconjunction with a central coordinator that has a wireless interface forwirelessly sending and receiving one or more wireless signals, a userinterface for accepting one or more user interactions from a user, and acontroller coupled to the input/output port, the user interface and thememory, the discrete air conditioner controller having a housing thathouses: a first wireless interface for wirelessly communicating with thecentral coordinator via a first network; a second wireless interface forcommunicating with the one or more discrete air conditioner units, thesecond wireless interface using a different communications protocol thanthe first wireless interface; at least one sensor, wherein the at leastone sensor includes one or more of a temperature sensor, an occupancysensor, a humidity sensor and a light sensor; a controller configured totransition the discrete air conditioner controller between a sleep modein which less power is consumed and an active mode in which more poweris consumed, and wherein in the active mode the discrete air conditionercontroller is configured to communicate over the first network, and inthe sleep mode the discrete air conditioner controller is configured tonot communicate over the first network; and a battery holder for holdinga battery for powering the discrete air conditioner controller.

Example 71 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toexample 70, wherein the second wireless interface includes in infrared(IR) interface.

Example 72 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toexamples 70 or 71, wherein the at least one sensor is inactive when thediscrete air conditioner controller is in the sleep mode.

Example 73 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-72, wherein the discrete air conditionercontroller is configured to communicate a measure related to a parametersensed by the at least one sensor to the central coordinator via thefirst wireless interface when the discrete air conditioner controller isin the active mode. Example 74 includes the discrete air conditionercontroller according to any one of examples 70-73, wherein the discreteair conditioner controller is configured to switch from the sleep modeto the active mode when a measure related to a parameter sensed by theat least one sensor meets one or more predetermined criteria.

Example 75 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-74, wherein the discrete air conditionercontroller is configured to initiate a communication with one or morediscrete air conditioner units when a measure related to a parametersensed by the at least one sensor meets one or more predeterminedcriteria.

Example 76 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-75, wherein the discrete air conditionercontroller is configured to transition between the sleep mode and theactive mode according to a schedule.

Example 77 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-76, wherein the schedule is communicated from thecentral coordinator to the discrete air conditioner controller via thefirst network.

Example 78 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-77, wherein the duration of the active mode isdynamically updated according to one or more of density of nodes on thefirst network and the expected traffic on the first network.

Example 79 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-78, wherein the discrete air conditionercontroller is configured to transition between the sleep mode and theactive mode in accordance with a beacon signal received from the centralcoordinator. Example 80 includes the discrete air conditioner controlleraccording to any one of examples 70-79, wherein the discrete airconditioner controller is configured to transition from the sleep modeto the active mode a predetermined delay after receiving a beacon signalfrom the central coordinator.

Example 81 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-80, wherein the discrete air conditionercontroller remains in the active mode for a duration that is dynamicallyset by the beacon signal.

Example 82 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-81, wherein the discrete air conditionercontroller is configured to remain in a pre-sleep state when in thesleep mode, such that when the discrete air conditioner controllersubsequently transition to the active mode, the discrete air conditionercontroller continues to execute from the pre-sleep state.

Example 83 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-82, wherein the discrete air conditionercontroller is configured to transmit data to the central coordinatoraccording to a predetermined schedule, wherein the discrete airconditioner controller transition from the sleep mode to the active modein accordance with the predetermined schedule, wherein the discrete airconditioner controller is configured to return to the passive mode afterthe data has been transmitted to the central coordinator.

Example 84 includes the discrete air conditioner controller according toany one of examples 70-83, further comprising at least one lightingcontroller for controlling one or more light banks each having at leastone light.

Example 85 is a method of controlling a discrete air conditioner unitthat services a building including the steps of: transmitting a commandover a first wireless communications path from a central coordinator toa discrete air conditioner controller located near a discrete airconditioner unit mounted on a ceiling, a wall or a window of thebuilding; in response to receiving the command over the first wirelesscommunications path, transmitting a command over a second wirelesscommunications path from the discrete air conditioner controller to thediscrete air conditioner unit for controlling operation of the discreteair conditioner controller, wherein the first wireless communicationspath is not compatible with the second wireless communications path;sensing one or more sensed parameters at the discrete air conditionercontroller, and if the one or more sensed parameters meet one or morepredetermined criteria, transmitting one or more commands over a secondwireless communications path from the discrete air conditionercontroller to the discrete air conditioner unit for controllingoperation of the discrete air conditioner controller; transitioning thediscrete air conditioner controller between a sleep mode in which lesspower is consumed and an active mode in which more power is consumed,wherein in the active mode the discrete air conditioner controller isconfigured to transmit data to the central coordinator via the firstwireless communications path, and wherein in the sleep mode the discreteair conditioner controller is configured to not transmit data over thefirst wireless communications path.

Example 86 is an apparatus for detecting an operational mode of abuilding component of an environmental control system including: asensor for outputting a signal related to a measure of power drawn bythe building component; a signal conditioning circuit coupled to thesensor, the signal conditioning circuit for conditioning the signalreceived from the sensor; a comparator coupled to the signalconditioning circuit, the comparator for comparing the conditionedsignal to a specified threshold associated with an ON condition of thebuilding component; and a wireless interface configured to wirelesslytransmit a determination of whether the building component is ON or OFFbased on a result determined by the comparator.

Example 87 includes the apparatus of example 86, wherein the sensorincludes a split core current sensor wherein the split core currentsensor is coupled around at least one conductor of a power cord of thebuilding component.

Example 88 includes the apparatus of examples 86 or 87, wherein thesignal conditioning circuit conditions the signal received from thesensor by amplifying and/or filtering.

Example 89 includes the apparatus according to any one of examples86-88, wherein the comparator compares the conditioned signal to two ormore specified thresholds, wherein a first threshold corresponds to afirst operational mode of the building component, and a second thresholdcorresponds to a second operational mode of the building component, andwherein both the first operational mode and the second operational modecorrespond to operational modes when the building component is ON.

Example 90 includes the apparatus according to any one of examples85-89, wherein the first threshold and the second threshold areconfigurable.

Example 91 includes the apparatus according to any one of examples85-90, wherein the building component is an air conditioner, and whereinthe first threshold corresponds to an operational mode indicating that afan is ON, and the second threshold corresponds to an operational modeindicating that both a compressor and the fan are ON.

Example 92 includes the apparatus according to any one of examples85-91, wherein the building component is an air conditioner, and theapparatus determines the operational mode of the building component inresponse to a message received at the wireless interface sent by adiscrete air conditioner controller.

Example 93 includes the apparatus according to any one of examples85-92, further comprising a timer circuit, wherein the apparatustransmits the determined operational mode of the building component viathe wireless interface after a specified duration that is timed by thetimer circuit.

Example 94 includes the apparatus according to any one of examples85-93, further comprising a controller and a memory for storinginformation about one or more different air conditioner models, whereinthe controller is configured to determine the specified threshold usingthe information about the one or more different air conditioner models.

Example 95 includes the apparatus according to any one of examples85-94, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a dutycycle of the air conditioner.

Example 96 is a building control system for controlling one or morebuilding components located within a building including: an airconditioner coupled to a power source; a discrete air conditionercontroller configured to communicate with and control one or morediscrete air conditioner units located within the building via a firstwireless communications path, the discrete air conditioner controllercomprising a memory and a controller located within a housing, thememory storing an operating schedule for operating the one or morediscrete air conditioner units and the controller configured to send outone or more commands to the one or more discrete air conditioner unitsin accordance with the operating schedule stored in the memory; acentral coordinator comprising a user interface, a memory, and acontroller, the controller of the central coordinator configured toreceive and accept an operating schedule from a user via the userinterface and to send at least a portion of the operating schedule tothe discrete air conditioner controller via a second wirelesscommunications path, wherein at least a portion of the operatingschedule is stored in the memory of the discrete air conditionercontroller; and an operational mode sensor associated with the airconditioner including a current sensor for outputting a signal relatedto a measure of power drawn by the building component, a signalconditioning circuit coupled to the current sensor, the signalconditioning circuit for conditioning the signal received from thecurrent sensor, a comparator coupled to the signal conditioning circuit,the comparator for comparing the conditioned signal to a specifiedthreshold associated with an ON condition of the building component, anda wireless interface configured to communicate a determination ofwhether the building component is ON or OFF based on a result determinedby the comparator.

Example 97 includes the building control system of example 96, whereinthe current sensor is a split core current sensor wherein the currentsensor is coupled around at least one conductor of a power cord of theair conditioner.

Example 98 includes the building control system according to examples 96or 97, wherein the signal conditioning circuit conditions the signalreceived from the current sensor by amplifying and/or filtering.

Example 99 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 96-98, wherein the comparator compares the conditioned signalto two or more specified thresholds, wherein a first thresholdcorresponds to a first operational mode of the air conditioner, and asecond threshold corresponds to a second operational mode of the airconditioner, and wherein the first operational mode and the secondoperational mode both correspond to operational modes when the airconditioner is ON.

Example 100 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 96-99, wherein the first threshold and the second threshold areconfigurable.

Example 101 includes the building control system according to any one ofexamples 96-100, wherein the first threshold corresponds to anoperational mode indicating that a fan of the air conditioner is ON, andthe second threshold corresponds to an operational mode indicating thata compressor and the fan of the air conditioner are ON.

Example 102 is a method of confirming that one or more commands thatwere wirelessly sent to a building component of a building were receivedand implemented including the steps of: wirelessly sending one or morecommands to a building component of a building, the one or more commandsconfigured to change an operational mode of the building component to apredetermined operational mode; sensing a measure of power consumed bythe building component; comparing the measure of power consumed by thebuilding component to a specified threshold associated with thepredetermined operational mode of the building component, and based onthe comparison, determining whether the building component is in thepredetermined operational mode; wirelessly sending one or more messagesthat indicate whether the building component is in the predeterminedoperational mode; and if the building component is in the predeterminedoperational mode, confirming that the one or more commands were receivedand implemented by the building component.

Example 103 includes the method according to example 102, and furthercomprises configuring the specified threshold based on a buildingcomponent type.

Example 104 includes the method according to examples 102 or 103,wherein the building component is an air conditioner unit.

Example 105 includes the method according to any one of examples102-104, wherein the predetermined operational mode corresponds to an ONmode as opposed to an OFF mode.

Having thus described several illustrative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that yetother embodiments may be made and used within the scope of the claimshereto attached. Numerous advantages of the disclosure covered by thisdocument have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will beunderstood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respect, onlyillustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters ofshape, size, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of thedisclosure. The disclosure's scope is, of course, defined in thelanguage in which the appended claims are expressed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a remote control unit; abuilding component that is configured to receive wireless controlcommands from the remote control unit; a sensing unit including at leastone sensor and a wireless interface, the sensing unit configured to usethe at least one sensor to sense a measure of power drawn by thebuilding component, and to use the wireless interface to transmit acorresponding wireless signal to the remote control unit; and whereinthe remote control unit is configured to receive and use thecorresponding wireless signal from the sensing unit to confirm whetheror not the building component received the wireless control commandtransmitted to the building component by the remote control unit.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the corresponding wireless signal encodesa parameter that is related to the measure of power drawn by thebuilding component.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the buildingcomponent comprises a first operating mode and a second operating mode,wherein the first operating mode draws more power than the secondoperating mode, and wherein the parameter can be used to determinewhether the building component is operating in the first operating modeor the second operating mode.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein thefirst operating mode comprises an ON mode, and the second operating modecomprises an OFF or standby mode.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, whereinthe first operating mode comprises a cooling mode, and the secondoperating mode comprises one of a fan-only mode, a standby mode or anOFF mode.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first operating modecomprises a fan only mode, and the second operating mode comprises oneof a standby mode or an OFF mode.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe building component can operate in a first operating mode, a secondoperating mode, and a third operating mode, wherein the first operatingmode draws more power than the second operating mode and the secondoperating mode draws more power than the third operating mode, andwherein the parameter can be used to determine whether the buildingcomponent is operating in the first operating mode, the second operatingmode, or the third operating mode.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, whereinthe first operating mode comprises a cooling mode, the second operatingmode comprises a fan-only mode, and the third operating mode comprises astandby mode or an OFF mode.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atleast one sensor of the sensing unit includes a current sensor forsensing a measure of current drawn by the building component.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the building component is an airconditioner that is incapable of transmitting its operational status inresponse to a received wireless control command from the remote controlunit.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the building component is anair conditioner that operates in a duty cycle in a cooling mode, andwherein the parameter is used to determine the duty cycle of the airconditioner.
 12. A building control system for controlling one or morebuilding components located within a building including at least onediscrete air conditioner unit, the building control system comprising: adiscrete air conditioner unit coupled to a power source; a discrete airconditioner controller configured to communicate with and control thediscrete air conditioner unit via one or more commands transmitted tothe discrete air conditioner unit via a first wireless communicationspath, the discrete air conditioner controller including a memory and acontroller located within a housing, the memory storing an operatingschedule for operating the discrete air conditioner unit and thecontroller configured to send out one or more commands to the discreteair conditioner unit in accordance with the operating schedule stored inthe memory; an operational mode sensor associated with the discrete airconditioner unit, the operational mode sensor including at least onesensor and a wireless interface, the operational mode sensor configuredto use the at least one sensor to sense a measure of power drawn by thediscrete air conditioner unit, and to use the wireless interface totransmit a corresponding wireless signal to the discrete air conditionercontroller, wherein the corresponding wireless signal encodes aparameter that can be used to determine a current operational mode ofthe discrete air conditioner unit; and wherein the discrete airconditioner controller confirms whether the discrete air conditionerunit received the one or more commands from the discrete air conditionercontroller via the first wireless interface based at least in part on adetermination of the current operational mode of the discrete airconditioner unit.
 13. The building control system of claim 12, furthercomprising: a central coordinator comprising a memory and a controller,the controller of the central coordinator configured to receive andaccept an operating schedule from a user and to send at least a portionof the operating schedule to the discrete air conditioner controller viaa second wireless communications path, wherein at least a portion of theoperating schedule is stored in the memory of the discrete airconditioner controller.
 14. The building control system of claim 12,wherein the operational mode sensor includes a current sensor forsensing a measure of current drawn by the discrete air conditioner unit.15. The building control system of claim 12, wherein the discrete airconditioner unit has a plurality of operating modes including one ormore of a cooling mode, a fan-only mode, a standby mode and an OFF mode.16. A method of confirming that one or more commands that werewirelessly sent to a building component of a building were received andimplemented, wherein the building component is configured to receive theone or more commands from a remote control unit, the method comprising:wirelessly sending one or more commands to a building component of abuilding, the one or more commands configured to change an operationalmode of the building component to a commanded operational mode; sensinga measure of power consumed by the building component; determiningwhether the building component is in the commanded operational mode ornot based on the sensed measure of power consumed by the buildingcomponent; confirming that the one or more commands were received andimplemented by the building component when it is determined that thebuilding component is in the commanded operational mode; and confirmingthat the one or more commands were not received and implemented by thebuilding component when it is determined that the building component isnot in the commanded operational mode.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the building component is incapable of transmitting confirmationthat the one or more commands were received and implemented in responsereceiving the one or more commands from the remote control unit.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein sensing the measure of power consumed by thebuilding component comprises sensing a measure of current drawn by thebuilding component.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein when it isconfirmed that the one or more commands were not received andimplemented by the building component, wirelessly re-sending the one ormore commands to change the operational mode of the building componentto the commanded operational mode.
 20. The method of claim 16, whereinthe building component includes a discrete air conditioner that has aplurality of operating modes including one or more of a cooling mode, afan-only mode, a standby mode and an OFF mode.